The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-09-08
THE DEAD STATESMAN.
His Notable Ancestry and Eventful Pu
lie Career.

His Notable Ancestry and Eventual Pub
lie Career.
Few of the younger generation will re-
member that Hamilton Fish, who has Just
gone to his final reward was for many
years a particularly prominent political
figure. He was Grants intimate friend
and his choice for the presidency in 1870.
Hamilton Fish was born in New York
city Aug. 3, 1908 He was the son OF
Nicholas Fish, n revolutionary patiot, who
was an intimate friend of Aaron Burr
until the latter killed Alexander Hamil-
ton in their historic duel
As boy he was very bright, and gradu
ated from Columbia college before he was
10 years OF age. In 1884 Mr.. Fish was the
Wing candidate forthe state assembly, but
was defeated In 1912 he was the success
ful congressional candidate of the Wings
of the Sixth district of New York city. He
served but ore term. lie was a candidste
for lieutenant governor in 1916, but w
defeated, owing to the active efforts malA
against him by the anti-renters, whose
principles he had vigorously assailed. The
head of the Wing ticket was elected, how
ever.
When Mr.. Fish's successful Democratic
competitor, Addison Gardiner, resigned
his office during the following yeag to ac-
cept u seat on the court Of appeals bench.
Mr. Fish was chosen to succeed him, and
In 1s4S he was further honored by being
elected governor by O majority of more
than sc, 900 over John A. Dix and Reuben
II. Walworth. At the expiration of his
gubernatorinl term Mr. Fish was elected
to the United States senate to succeed
Daniel S. Dickinson. In the senate he
acted with the Republican party and OPP
posed the Missouri compromise,
In 1857, when his senatorial term had
ended, Mr.. Fish made a tour of Europe
with his family, remaining abroad until
1860 He returned in time to take a prom
inent part in the presidential campaign
which resulted in the nomination and cleo
tion of Abraham Lincoln. In 1869 Mr..
Fish and Bishop Ames were appointed by
Secretary OF War Stanton commission to
visit United States soldiers, relieve their
suiTerings and provide for their neces-
sities. While they did not succeed in their
immediate purpose, they arranged for an
equal exchange of prisoners, which prac-
tically prevailed in the details agreed upon
by them up to the close of the war.
Mr.. Fish was an enthusiastic admirer of
General Grant, whose nomination for the
presidency he advocated warmly in 1858
After Grants election he was appointed
secretary of state and held the office until
the expiration of Grants second term in
1871 An effort was made to nominate
Mr. Fish for the presidency in 1873, Presi-
dent Grant being an earnest supporter of
the movement.
1t is upon his work as secretary OF state
that Mr. Fish's reputation principally
rests. He was one of the United States
commissioners to negotiate the treaty of
Washington, which was signed May s,
1871 Mr. Fish brought about settle
meut OF the northwestern boundary dis
pute, b. which this government WAS given
the island of San Juan. He also figured
prominently In the settlement Of the Ala
bama and Nirginius questions
For many years he was president of
| the New York Historical society, and
was president general OF the Society of the
| Cincinnati continuously from 1854 up to
| the time Of his death, his only predecessors
| in this highly honorable Office having been
| George Washington, Alexander Hamilton,
| Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Thomas
| Pinckney, Aaron Ogden, Morgan Lewis,
| William Popham and A. Scammell Dear
| born.
MIR. Fish was man of fine physique
| His wife died in 1897 leaving five chill
| dren, one of whom, Hamilton Fish. Jr,
has been prominent in New York state
politics for several years. Mr.. Fish was
1 several times a millionaire and Is said "
| have spent 5000 Il year.