The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-10
THE DEAD STATESMAN.
His Notable Ancestry and Eventful Pub
lie Career.

His Notable Ancestry and Eventful Pub
lie Career.
Few of the younger generation will re-
member that Hamilton Fish, who has lust
gone to his final reward. wa, for many
years particularly prominent political
figure. He was Grants intimate friend
and his choice for the presidency in 1876
Hamilton Fish was born iii New York
city Aug. 8, 1905 He was the son of
Nicholas Fish, 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 for the state assembly, but
was defeated. In 1912 he was the success
full congressional candidate of the Wings
of the Sixth district of New York city He
served but one term. He was candidate
for lieutenant governor in 1916. but was
defeated, owing to the active efforts made
against him by the anti-renters, whose
principles he had vigorously assaulted. 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 year to ac-
Mr.. Fish was chosen to succeed him. and
In lSiS he was further honored by being
elected governor by IL majority of more
than 10000 over John a. Dix and Reuben
III. Walworth. AT the expiration of his
gubernatorial 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 op-
posed the Missouri compromise.
In 1887, when his senatorial term had
ended, Mr.. Fish made Il tour of Europe
with his family, remaining abroad until
1850. He returned in time to take prom
inent part in the presidential campaign
which resulted in the nomination and cleo
ton of Abraham Lincoln. In 1862 Mr..
Fish and Bishop Ames were appointed by
Secretary OF War Stanton commission to
visit United States soldiers, relieve their
suflerings and provide for their neces-
stiles. 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 1853
After Grants election he was appointed
secretary of state and held the office until
the expiration of Grants second term In
1877. An effort was made to nominate
Mr.. Fish for the presidency in 1876. 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 8,
1871 Mr.. Fish brought about settle
ment of the northwestern boundary dis
pute, by which this government was given
the island of San Juan. He also figured
prominently in the settlement of the Ala
bama and Virginius questions.
For many years he was president of
the New York Historical society, and
was president general OF the Society of tho
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.
Mr.. 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
several times a millionaire and is said to
have spent 100000 a year.