Politician, born in New York City, USA. As secretary of state under Grant (186977) he signed the Washington Treaty of 1871, and acted as arbitrator between the USA and Great Britain during the Alabama crisis, helping to bring about a satisfactory settlement.
See Hamilton Fish (disambiguation) for others with the same name
Hamilton Fish|
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| 26th United States Secretary of State | |
|---|---|
| In office | |
| March 17, 1869 – March 12, 1877 | |
| Preceded by | Elihu B. Evarts |
| Born |
August 3, 1808 New York City, New York, USA |
| Died |
September 7, 1893 Garrison, New York, USA |
| Political party | Whig, Republican |
| Spouse | Julia Kean |
| Profession | Politician |
Hamilton Fish (August 3, 1808 – September 7, 1893), born in New York City, was an American statesman who served as Governor of New York, United States Senator and United States Secretary
of State.
Biography
Fish was born at what is now known as the Stuyvesant-Fish House in Greenwich Village, New York City, to Nicholas Fish and Elizabeth Stuyvesant (a great-great-granddaughter of New Amsterdam's Peter Stuyvesant), and his parents named him after their friend Alexander Hamilton. Fish married Julia Kean (a descendant of a New Yorker who was a New Jersey governor, William Livingston) in 1836.
Hamilton graduated from Columbia College in 1827 and was admitted to the New York bar in 1830, practicing briefly with William Beach Lawrence. He served as commissioner of deeds for the city and county of New York from 1832 through 1833, and was an unsuccessful candidate for New York State Assembly in 1834.
Political career
As a member of the Whig party, Fish was elected to the House of Representatives, defeating Democrat John McKeon and serving in the 28th Congress from New York's 6th District between 1843 and 1845. Stewart, John Jacob Astor and other New York men on the Union Defence Committee, which (from April 22, 1861 to April 30, 1862) cooperated with the New York City government in the raising and equipping troops, and disbursed more than $1 million for the relief of New York volunteers and their families.
Later life
After leaving the Cabinet, he returned to the law and managing his real estate in New York City.
He died at Glen Clyffe, his estate near Garrison, New York in Putnam County, New York in the Hudson River Valley, and is buried in Garrison at St. Philip's Church-in-the-Highlands Cemetery.
Other involvements
Vice-president general of the Society of the Cincinnati from 1848 to 1854, president general from 1854 until his death Appointed by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln as one of the board of commissioners for the relief and exchange of Union prisoners of war in the South President of the New York Historical Society from 1867-1869 Served as a trustee of Columbia University for 53 years (1840–1849, 1851–1893), and as chairman of the board of trustees from 1859 until his death in 1893 Served as president of the Union League Club from 1879 to 1881. Acted as a trustee of both the Lenox Library and the Astor Library, which were later shaped into the New York Public LibraryNotable relatives
Fish had many notable ancestors and descendants. He had a son, a grandson and a great-grandson (all named Hamilton Fish) serve in the U.S. House of Representatives for New York: Son Hamilton Fish II (1849–1936) Grandson Hamilton Fish III (1888–1991) Great-grandson Hamilton Fish IV (1926–1996) His great-great grandson Hamilton Fish V ran for Congress in 1988 and 1994 (to succeed his retiring father) but lost. Another son Stuyvesant Fish was an important railroad executive Another son Nicholas Fish was a U.S. diplomat, who was appointed second secretary of legation at Berlin in 1871, became secretary in 1874, and was charge d'affaires at Berne in 1877-1881, and minister to Belgium in 1882-1886, after which he engaged in banking in New York City. Nicholas's son Hamilton Fish charged San Juan Hill with the Rough Riders and is said to be the first American killed in the battle Nephew Stuyvesant Fish Morris, physician from New York Grand-nephew Hamilton F. Kean, US Senator from New Jersey Great-grand-nephew Thomas Kean, Governor of New Jersey
See also: Fish family
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