A very strong, chest-up portrait, slightly turned in profile, of Abram Wakeman (1824-1889,) influential and well-connected attorney, businessman, New York politician, and a founder of the Republican party. Likely taken in the early 1850s, this shows Wakeman in formal attire with starched white collar and shirt, black cravat, long hair combed back, and prominent whiskers, near the outset of his career, but full of seriousness, confidence, and importance. Born in Connecticut, Wakeman was admitted to the bar in 1847 and practiced in New York City, pursuing the law and business ventures that involved him in banks, railroads, and insurance companies. In later years he did rather well in real estate also, taking part in the development of Coney Island.

He is best known as a politician. A member of the NY State Assembly from 1850-51 and the NY City Board of Aldermen 1852-56, he was elected to Congress for 1855-57 and as a member of the Whig party was allied with H.J. Raymond, founder of the NY Times and “godfather of the Republican party,” Thurlow Weed, and William H. Seward. With the collapse of the Whigs, he became one of the founders of the Republican party, serving as a national delegate in 1856 and for twelve years thereafter. Although a supporter of Seward at the 1860 convention, he became a supporter of Lincoln and close enough friend that they reportedly referred to one another as “Big Abe” and “Little Abe.” At the outbreak of the Civil War he helped raise the 81^st Pennsylvania, though resigning in favor of an experienced officer to command it in the field. It was a sign of his political pull that he obtained two significant patronage positions: Postmaster of New York City (1862-64,) and Surveyor of the Port of New York (1864-69). He was friends with Mary Lincoln as well and his closeness to the Lincolns came with some cost. In the draft riots of 1863, his house was burned to the ground. He also helped Mary Lincoln refinance some of her large shopping debts, only to have her call upon him for financial assistance in 1867, alleging that she had helped him obtain his lucrative 1864 appointment.

He earned his keep, though, in the critical election of 1864. In an effort to attract pro-Union Democrats, the Republican party had rechristened itself the National Union Party, and Wakeman presided over its NY state convention in 1863 and was a delegate to its national convention of 1864. Most importantly, he worked to keep Lincoln informed of political developments in New York, brought word that Thurlow Weed would tacitly endorse him, and worked to neutralize “pro-peace” candidates who advocated a negotiated settlement with the south, managing to keep the NY Herald from endorsing McClellan.

The image is matted and glassed in its original leatherette case with floral embossed cover. The case is separated at the hinge and has minor scuffs, but is good. The seals are intact on the reverse of the plate. A family note in old ink pasted on the facing cushion reads: “’Uncle Abram’ / my grandfather’s / brother./ Caroline / James  / Abram / Thaddeus.” The last four names are siblings, children of Jonathan and Clara Wakeman of Greenfield Hills, CT. Please see our other offerings for a daguerreotype of Thaddeus. That photograph has a similar note making clear the identifications are in the hand of one of Thaddeus’s grandchildren.

This is a nicely preserved image of a political figure who helped Lincoln navigate the perilous election of 1864 when divisions in the north threatened to render meaningless the expense of millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of lives.   [sr]

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