St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-05
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Charles J. Folger was born on the island of
Nantucket. state of Massachusetts, April 10,
1878. His father was Il native of the same
island, and his paternal ancestors settled there
nearly two hundred years ago. His mother was
a native of London. England, where her ances-
tors had lived for many years. In 1880 the fam
lily went to Geneva. y. Y, and this has been
the residence OF Judge Folger since that time
His preparatory education was obtained
in the common and select schools of Nantucket,
at the Plainfeld academy Connecticut,
and at Geneva, now Hobart college, where he
graduated at the age of eighteen In addition to
the usual degrees OF the college, Judge Folger
has received the honorary degree OF LID. from
Hobart and Rutgers colleges. Immediately
after graduating he connected the study of
law al the office of Mark II. Sibley and Alvah
Warden at Conandaga. He also read for time
with Bowen Whitney, Of Geneva aad John NJ d.
HALEY, of Lyons, and was admitted to the bar in
1899, at the age OF twenty one. when he immedi-
ateIy began the practice of his profession In 1874
he was appointed. under the system then prevail.
ing, to be first Judge of the court of common
pleas for Ontario county. and he was also subse
guently appointed to be master aud examiner in
chancery. In 1851, the choice of judge having
been vested in the people by tine new constita-
ton, Judge F0geT was elected to the position of
luGge OF OntarlO county, and held the position
for four years. In 1861 he was elected
state senator from the Ontario district and served
continuously until 1869, including the session
for that year. He held high rank in the sen ate
during his service being president Dro tenn for
four years and chairman of the Judiciary COM
mittee for his whole term of service in the SEN
ate. In 1853 he was reelected to the senate
but resigned 10 accept an appointment from
President Grant assistant treasurer of the
United States at New York. He continued in
the latter position until 1870, when he
resigned, upon being elected associate
judge of the court Of appeals. In 1867, while
state senator, he was chosen a member of the
constitutional convention and was appointed TO
the important position of chairman Of the Judi
ciary committee OF that body. Mr. Folger was
appointed at the death Of Chief Judge Church.
TO ill the vacancy thus caused and in November
following he was elected by the people to the
same high Office. In politics Judge Folger was
originally Democrat, but with such men as
Silas Wright, belonged to what is known
as the radical wing of the party. He joined in
the organization of the Republican party and
( soon became one OF its prominent leaders. 1t
was we'll known that Gen. Garfield early placed the
name of Judge Foger among his most available
names for cabinet appointments, and after call
ing him to Mentor offered him the posi-
ton Of Attorney General, which Judge Folger
did not deem it expedient to accept He be-
came secretary of the treasury in President Ar
thurs cabinet, October %. 1881, being the first
cabinet officer whom the president appointed
The circumstances Of his nomination for gov
ernor Of New York at Saratoga, the campaign
which followed, and his overwhelming defeat by
Gov. Cleveland. are too fresh in the public mind
TO need any special mention at this time