Abram Wakeman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 8th district | |
| In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | Francis B. Cutting |
| Succeeded by | Horace F. Clark |
| Surveyor of the Port of New York | |
| In office September 14, 1864 – March 29, 1869 | |
| Preceded by | Rufus F. Andrews |
| Succeeded by | Alonzo B. Cornell |
| Postmaster of New York City | |
| In office March 21, 1862 – September 18, 1864 | |
| Preceded by | William B. Taylor |
| Succeeded by | James Kelly |
| Member of the New York City Board of Aldermen from the 12th Ward | |
| In office 1854–1856 | |
| Preceded by | Wesley Smith |
| Succeeded by | David S. Jackson |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 4th District of New York County | |
| In office 1850–1852 | |
| Preceded by | George J. Cornell |
| Succeeded by | Theodore A. Ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 31, 1824 Greenfield Hill, Connecticut |
| Died | June 29, 1889 (aged 65) New York City, New York |
| Resting place | Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York |
| Political party | Whig (before 1855) Republican (after 1855) |
| Spouse(s) | Mary E. Harwood (m. 1851–1883, her death) Katharine Horton Price (m. 1884–1889, his death) |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Attorney Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | 81st Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Abram Wakeman (May 31, 1824 – June 29, 1889) was an attorney, businessman, and politician from New York City. An important figure in the creation of the Republican Party in the mid-1850s, and a supporter of the Union during the American Civil War, he was most notable for his service as a U.S. Representative from New York.
A native of Greenfield Hill, Connecticut, Wakeman completed a college preparatory education, taught school while studying law, and attained admission to the bar in 1847. He practiced in New York City, and also became involved in several businesses, including banks, railroads, and insurance companies.
A political colleague of William H. Seward and Thurlow Weed, Wakeman became active in politics as a Whig and served in the New York State Assembly (1850–1852) and as a city Alderman (1854–1856). In 1854, Wakeman was elected to Congress, and he served one term, 1855 to 1857. He helped found the Republican Party in 1855, and was a delegate to the 1856 Republican National Convention. During the American Civil War, Wakeman was a strong supporter of the Union, and provided important organizational and financial aid. His support for the Abraham Lincoln administration resulted in lucrative political appointments as Postmaster of New York City (1862–1864), and Surveyor of the Port of New York (1864–1869).
In his later years, Wakeman was one of the developers of Coney Island as a resort and amusement destination, and realized a substantial profit when he sold out to a syndicate of investors. He died in New York City, and was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.