Salmon P. Chase

Date of Birth: January 13, 1808

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: May 7, 1873

Biography

Salmon Portland Chase was an American politician and jurist who served as the sixth Chief Justice of the United States from 1864 to 1873. Born in Cornish, New Hampshire, Chase was a prominent anti-slavery advocate and played a significant role in the formation of the Republican Party. He was a U.S. Senator from Ohio, the 23rd Governor of Ohio, and served as the U.S. Treasury Secretary under President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. As Treasury Secretary, he implemented the National Banking Act and introduced paper currency, known as “greenbacks,” which helped stabilize the economy during the war. Chase was also a staunch supporter of civil rights and worked tirelessly to advance the cause of abolition. His tenure as Chief Justice was marked by his efforts to interpret the Constitution in ways that provided greater protection for civil liberties and equality under the law.

5 Interesting Facts about Salmon P. Chase

1. Chase was one of the founders of the modern Republican Party and was considered a leading candidate for the party’s presidential nomination in 1860, but lost to Abraham Lincoln.

2. The Chase National Bank, which later became part of JPMorgan Chase, was named in his honor, though he had no direct connection to the bank.

3. He was a dedicated abolitionist and helped to defend runaway slaves in court, earning the nickname “Attorney General for Fugitive Slaves.”

4. Salmon P. Chase appeared on the $10,000 bill, which was used primarily for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks and was last printed in 1945.

5. He was instrumental in the passage of the National Banking Act, which established a system of national banks and a uniform national currency.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Salmon P. Chase

1. “The Constitution, in all its provisions, looks to an indestructible Union composed of indestructible States.”

2. “I believe in the dignity of labor; I believe that everybody should be happy in his or her work.”

3. “The way to resumption is to resume.”

4. “Slavery is wrong, and it ought to be abolished.”

5. “Political economy is the science of free government.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Salmon P. Chase’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but as a prominent politician and jurist in the 19th century, his financial influence was substantial, especially given his role in creating the National Banking System.