Schuyler Colfax was an influential journalist and politician who served as the 17th Vice President of the United States from 1869 to 1873, under President Ulysses S. Grant.
Early Career
Colfax was born to a Dutch family in New York City on March 23, 1823. His father died before he was born, and he later moved to Indiana with his mother. In 1842, Colfax became the editor of a political newspaper and eventually purchased it. He grew it into one of the most influential papers in the state. As a young journalist, he frequently participated in South Bend’s debating society, and his success in the debates led him to be selected as a delegate to the 1848 Whig National Convention.
In 1854, Colfax was elected to Congress and served six terms, first with the Indiana People’s Party, a party founded on abolishing slavery, and then as a Republican. As a Congressman, Colfax was known as a Radical Republican due to his vigorous anti-slavery policies. In 1863, he was elected Speaker of the House and held the position until 1869. He presided over the House during the Civil War and Reconstruction period. He played a pivotal role in securing congressional passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery. Notably, although it is unusual for the Speaker to vote, Colfax directed the clerk to call his name after the roll call so that he could vote in favor of the amendment. It was met with applause in the House.
Vice Presidency
Colfax was selected as Ulysses S. Grant’s running mate at the 1868 Republican Convention. He retained his position as Speaker of the House until the day before his inauguration in 1869. As Vice President, he oversaw much of the Reconstruction period, which aimed to rebuild Southern states, integrate formerly enslaved people into society, and redefine the political and social landscape after the Civil War. In 1870, before seeking reelection, Colfax announced that he would not run for the position again. Colfax, however, changed his mind but ultimately lost the nomination to Henry Wilson.
In 1872, while serving as Vice President, he became embroiled in the Credit Mobilier scandal. This scandal involved representatives and senators accepting bribes from Union Pacific Railroad’s Credit Mobilier subsidiary in exchange for favorable votes during the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Colfax testified during a House committee hearing, and evidence surfaced that he had accepted gifts. Most notably, he received gifts from a contractor who supplied envelopes to the federal government during Colfax’s tenure as chairman of the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads.
Post Vice Presidency
After his Vice Presidency, Colfax began a successful career as a lecturer. As a close friend of the former president, Colfax frequently spoke about the life of Abraham Lincoln. Colfax also ventured into the iron business, eventually becoming vice president of an iron company.
Colfax passed away in 1885 at the age of 61, leaving behind a legacy as a visionary of the anti-slavery movement. His impact is commemorated by towns in over nine states, three counties, and numerous schools named in his honor.
