Chauncey Mitchell Depew (1834-1924) Lawyer, business man, politician. Born Peekskill, New York Graduated Yale 1856. Engaged in the presidential campaigning for Fremont.Admitted to the bar in 1858. He was appointed United States minister to Japan, but after a month, declined, and began his career as an official for the New York and Harlem Railroad. Attorney and director of the consolidated Hudson River and New York Central railroads in 1869; general counsel of the whole Vanderbilt system in 1875. Second vice-president of the New York Central in 1882, and president 1885-98. His political career, since 1866, embraces his unsuccessful candidacy as lieutenant-governor on the Liberal Republican ticket in 1872: his election by the legislature as regent of the State University in 1874; his candidacy for United States senator to succeed Thomas C. Platt. Withdrew his name after 82 days of balloting in 1881; his declination of the United States senatorship tendered by the Republicans of the legislature in 1885; candidate for the presidential nomination in the convention in 1888; elected to the United States Senate in 1899 and 1905. He had an international reputation as an unusually entertaining speaker, constantly in request as a lecturer. Delivered many addresses of public importance.

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