James E. English
| James E. English | |
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United States Senator from Connecticut |
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In office November 27, 1875 – May 17, 1876 |
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| Preceded by | Orris S. Ferry |
| Succeeded by | William H. Barnum |
| 44th Governor of Connecticut | |
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In office May 4, 1870 – May 16, 1871 |
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| Lieutenant | Julius Hotchkiss |
| Preceded by | Marshall Jewell |
| Succeeded by | Marshall Jewell |
| 43rd Governor of Connecticut | |
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In office May 1, 1867 – May 5, 1869 |
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| Lieutenant | Ephraim H. Hyde |
| Preceded by | Joseph R. Hawley |
| Succeeded by | Marshall Jewell |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 2nd district |
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In office March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1865 |
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| Preceded by | John Woodruff |
| Succeeded by | Samuel L. Warner |
| Member of the Connecticut Senate | |
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In office 1856–1858 |
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| Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives | |
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In office 1855 1872 |
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| Personal details | |
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James Edward English March 13, 1812 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | March 2, 1890 (aged 77) New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | -Caroline A. Fowler English, Anna Robinson Morris English |
| Children | Edward Fowler English (1838 - 1841), Augusta Caroline English (1843 - 1857), Edward Fowler English (1848 - 1849), Henry Fowler English (1851 - 1947) |
| Profession | Politician, banker, lumberman, manufacturer |
James Edward English (March 13, 1812 – March 2, 1890) was a United States Representative and later U.S. Senator from Connecticut.
English was born in New Haven, Connecticut and attended the common schools. An apprentice carpenter at the age of 16, he became a successful businessman, establishing the English and Welch Lumber Company, and restructuring the New Haven Clock Company into one of the largest clock manufacturers. He was twice married; to Caroline A. Fowler and to Anna Robinson Morris. He had four children; Edward Fowler English (1838 - 1841), Augusta Caroline English (1843 - 1857), Edward Fowler English (1848 - 1849), and Henry Fowler English (1851 - 1947).
English engaged in the lumber business, banking, and manufacturing. He was a member of the New Haven board of selectmen from 1847 to 1861, and a member of the common council in 1848 and 1849. He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1855 and of the Connecticut Senate from 1856 to 1858, and was an unsuccessful candidate for lieutenant governor in 1860.
English was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1861 to March 3, 1865. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1864.
He left his ill wife to vote at the U.S. Capitol, where, despite being a Democrat, he voted in favor of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery in 1864. His "aye" prompted applause "and the tide turned." He later remarked that voting for the Amendment ruined his standing among Democrats, but he thought it the right thing to do, saying "I suppose I am politically ruined, but that day was the happiest of my life." However, his reservation was not to be, as he had a fairly successful career afterwards.
Regarding his vote in favor of the Thirteenth Amendment, English said to a friend: "I suppose I am politically ruined, but that day was the happiest of my life."
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Wikipedia