Theodore M. Pomeroy

Theodore Medad Pomeroy (December 31, 1824 – March 23, 1905) was an American businessman and politician from New York who served as the 26th speaker of the United States House of Representatives for one day, from March 3, 1869, to March 4, 1869, the shortest American speakership term. He represented New York's 24th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1861 to 1869. He also served as the mayor of Auburn, New York, from 1875 to 1876, and in the New York State Senate from 1878 to 1879.^[1]

Early life and education

Theodore Medad Pomeroy was born on December 31, 1824. He spent his childhood in Elbridge, New York, where he went to live when he was nine years old.^[1]

He was educated at the Monroe Academy and at 15, entered

In May 1843, at the age of 18, he left his parents' home in Cayuga^{[clarification needed]} and moved to Auburn, where he entered the firm of Beach & Underwood as a law student. William H. Seward was counsel for the firm as he had just finished serving as the Governor of New York from 1838 to 1842.^[3] Christopher Morgan and Samuel Blatchford, who later became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, became associated with the firm. On May 23, 1846,^[2] he was admitted to practice as an attorney in the state of New York.^[1]

Political career

In 1847, he was elected by the

Mr. Pomeroy of Auburn is small in stature, with keen black eyes, a peculiarly expressive countenance and somewhere near as smart as chain lightning, at least when he deals with lower law Democracy. He is one of the most energetic and effective debaters in the House and brimful to running over with that kind of Republicanism which is found in the now somewhat antiquated document known as the Declaration of Independence. The lions of buccaneer Democracy fare hard when they fall into his hands and he occasionally handles certain old fogy Republicans without gloves.^[1]

He was nominated by acclamation in 1862, 1864, and 1866 from the 24th congressional district which comprised the counties of Cayuga, Wayne and Seneca. On March 3, 1869, Pomeroy's final full day in office came to a close with the 40th Congress.

Speakership (1869)

Schuyler Colfax, who was to be sworn into office as vice president the next day, resigned as speaker of the House. Upon his resignation, the House passed a motion declaring Pomeroy, who was himself leaving Congress the next day, duly elected as speaker in place of Colfax. In office for one day, his is the shortest tenure of any speaker of the U.S. House.^[6]

New York politics

After leaving Congress, Pomeroy was briefly out of politics. He returned to public life in the mid-1870s and was elected mayor of Auburn, New York, serving from 1875 to 1876, then as a member of the New York State Senate (25th D.) in 1878 and 1879.^[2][5]

Banking career

After the war ended, a boom in business production and industry began around the country. In the spring of 1866, the

On September 4, 1855, while serving his second term as District Attorney, he married Elizabeth Leitch Watson (1835–1892), the second daughter of Robert Watson, also of Auburn. Elizabeth's sister, Janet MacNeil Watson (1839–1913), married William H. Seward Jr. (1839–1920).^[11] Together, they had five children.^[12]

Pomeroy retired from public life in 1879 and lived at 168 Genesee Street in Auburn, where he died in 1905.^[2] Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) was a close friend of the family who helped care for the Pomeroy children. She attended his funeral and it was reported that only her flowers and letter were placed on his casket and buried with him.^[11][12]

Descendants

Pomeroy's grandchildren include New York state senator