Schuyler Colfax

Schuyler Colfax
Colfax in 1869
17th Vice President of the United States
In office March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1873
President	Ulysses S. Grant
Preceded by	Andrew Johnson
Succeeded by	Henry Wilson
25th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
In office December 7, 1863 – March 3, 1869
Preceded by	Galusha A. Grow
Succeeded by	Theodore M. Pomeroy
Leader of the House Republican Conference
In office December 7, 1863 – March 3, 1869
Preceded by	Galusha A. Grow
Succeeded by	Theodore M. Pomeroy
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 9th district
In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1869
Preceded by	Norman Eddy
Succeeded by	John P. C. Shanks
Personal details
Born	Schuyler Colfax Jr. (1823-03-23)March 23, 1823 New York City, U.S.
Died	January 13, 1885(1885-01-13) (aged 61) Mankato, Minnesota, U.S.
Resting place	South Bend City Cemetery, South Bend, Indiana, U.S.
Political party	Whig (before 1854) Republican (after 1854)
Other political affiliations	Indiana People's Party (1854)
Spouses	Evelyn Clark ​ ​ (m. 1844; died 1863)​ Ellen Wade ​ ​ (m. 1868)​
Children	Schuyler Colfax III
Signature

Schuyler Colfax Jr. (/ˈskaɪlər ˈkoʊlfæks/ SKY-lər KOHL-fax; March 23, 1823 – January 13, 1885) was an American journalist, businessman, and politician who served as the 17th vice president of the United States from 1869 to 1873, and prior to that as the 25th speaker of the House of Representatives from 1863 to 1869. Originally a Whig, then part of the short-lived People's Party of Indiana, and later a Republican, he was the U.S. representative for Indiana's 9th congressional district from 1855 to 1869.

Colfax was known for his opposition to slavery while serving in Congress, and was a founder of the Republican Party. During his first term as speaker, he led the effort to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery. When it came before the House for a final vote in January 1865, he emphasized his support by casting a vote in favor—by convention the speaker votes only to break a tie. Chosen as Ulysses S. Grant's running mate in the 1868 election, the pair won easily over Democratic Party nominees Horatio Seymour and Francis Preston Blair Jr. As was typical during the 19th century, Colfax had little involvement in the Grant administration. In addition to his duties as president of the U.S. Senate, he continued to lecture and write for the press while in office. Believing Grant would only serve one term, in 1870, Colfax attempted unsuccessfully to garner support for the 1872 Republican presidential nomination by telling friends and supporters he would not seek a second vice presidential term. When Grant announced that he would run again, Colfax reversed himself and attempted to win the vice-presidential nomination, but it was given to Henry Wilson.

An 1872–73 congressional investigation into the Crédit Mobilier scandal identified Colfax as one of several federal government officials who, in 1868, had accepted payments of cash and discounted stock from the Union Pacific Railroad in exchange for favorable action during the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Though he vociferously defended himself against charges, his reputation suffered. Colfax left the vice presidency at the end of his term in March 1873, and never again ran for office. Afterward, he worked as a business executive and became a popular lecturer and speechmaker.^[1]

Colfax suffered a heart attack and died at a railroad station in Mankato, Minnesota, on January 13, 1885, while en route to a speaking engagement in Iowa.^[2] He is one of only two persons to have served as both speaker of the House and vice president, the other being John Nance Garner.^[3]