Early Life and Background

Schuyler Colfax, the 17th Vice President of the United States, was born on March 23, 1823, in New York City. His father died before he was born, leaving the family in difficult financial circumstances. His mother later moved the family to Indiana in search of better opportunities. Colfax received only limited formal schooling, but his passion for reading, writing, and public affairs shaped his early ambitions. He eventually became a journalist and editor of the St. Joseph Valley Register, a leading newspaper in Indiana known for its anti-slavery stance.

Entry into Politics and Rise in the House

Colfax’s involvement in journalism naturally led him into politics. He first aligned with the Whig Party and later helped found the Republican Party, which opposed the spread of slavery. In 1854, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he would serve until 1869. Known for his honesty and optimism, Colfax quickly gained respect in Congress.

He rose to national prominence during the Civil War and became Speaker of the House in 1863. As Speaker, he supported President Abraham Lincoln’s wartime policies and played a central role in the passage of major legislation, including the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States.

Vice Presidency under Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1873)

In 1868, war hero Ulysses S. Grant selected Colfax as his running mate to help unify the Republican Party and appeal to moderates in the Midwest. After a successful campaign, Colfax was inaugurated as Vice President in 1869.

During his time in office, Colfax presided over the U.S. Senate during the turbulent Reconstruction Era. He supported the 15th Amendment, which granted African American men the right to vote, and encouraged legislation that aimed to rebuild the South and protect civil rights. He also made a historic visit to the Western territories, becoming one of the first vice presidents to travel widely across the country while in office.

Crédit Mobilier Scandal and Fall from Politics

Despite his strong record, Colfax’s career was tarnished by the Crédit Mobilier scandal in the early 1870s. The scandal involved corrupt dealings between government officials and the Union Pacific Railroad. Documents revealed that Colfax had received payments and stock while serving as Speaker of the House, prior to his vice presidency.

Although he denied any wrongdoing, the scandal deeply damaged his public image. As a result, the Republican Party dropped him from the 1872 ticket, and his national political career came to an end.

Later Life and Legacy

After leaving office in 1873, Colfax retired from politics and spent the rest of his life as a public speaker, touring the country and giving lectures on national unity, patriotism, and moral values. He remained popular in many regions, particularly in the West, where he had promoted expansion and development. He died of a sudden heart attack on January 13, 1885, in Mankato, Minnesota, while preparing to give a speech.

Though Colfax’s legacy was stained by scandal, historians continue to recognize his early contributions to the fight against slavery and his leadership during Reconstruction. Rising from humble beginnings to the nation’s second-highest office, Schuyler Colfax remains a complex but important figure in 19th-century American politics.