Chase, Salmon Portland

Chase, Salmon Portland (1808-1873), was a prominent American statesman and chief justice of the United States. He served as secretary of the treasury under President Abraham Lincoln. Chase is considered one of the greatest secretaries because of his work in the American Civil War (1861-1865). He maintained national credit and raised money to carry on the war. Chase laid the basis of the present national banking system. After he resigned in 1864 because of a policy dispute, Lincoln, who disliked him personally, named him chief justice in recognition of his ability. As chief justice, Chase presided capably over the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson.

Salmon Portland Chase
Salmon Portland Chase

Chase was born on Jan. 13, 1808, at Cornish, New Hampshire. After studying law in Washington, D.C., he became a lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a leader of the antislavery movement and defended many runaway slaves. As a United States senator from 1849 to 1855, he opposed the extension of slavery into the new territories. He served as governor of Ohio from 1856 to 1860. In later years, Chase wanted to become president of the United States. A founder of the Republican Party, he sought its presidential nomination several times. In 1868, he tried to get the Democratic nomination. He died on May 7, 1873.