Elihu Benjamin Washburne, Congressman and diplomatist, was born at Livermore, Maine, Sept. 23, 1816; in early life learned the trade of a printer, but graduated from Harvard Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1840. Coming west, he settled at Galena, forming a partnership with Charles S. Hempstead, for the practice of law, in 1841. He was a stalwart Whig, and, as such, was elected to Congress in 1852. He continued to represent his District until 1869, taking a prominent position, as a Republican, on the organization of that party. On account of his long service he was known as the "Father of the House," administering the Speaker's oath three times to Schuyler Colfax and once to James U. Blame. He was appointed Secretary of State by General Grant in 1869, but surrendered his portfolio to become Envoy to France, in which capacity he achieved great distinction. He was the only official representative of a foreign government who remained in Paris, during the siege of that city by the Germans (1870-71) and the reign of the 'Commune." For his conduct he was honored by the Governments of France and Germany alike. On his return to the United States, he made his home in Chicago, where he devoted his latter years chiefly to literary labor, and where he died, Oct. 22, 1887. He was strongly favored as a candidate for the Presidency in 1880.

From the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

Elihu Benjamin Washburne was born in Livermore, Maine, September 23, 1816, learned the trade of printer, graduated from Harvard Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1840, and soon afterward went west and located at Galena, Illinois, beginning practice with Charles S. Hempstead in 1841. Along with a good knowledge of the law he possessed an invincible courage and fearlessness, and that was equally necessary to success either in the law or in politics, in the early days of Galena which was a characteristic mining center. Several incidents are told of his having exercised physical as well as moral suasion during his early career at Galena. He continued to practice until elected to Congress on the Whig ticket in 1852, and continued to represent his district until 1869, taking a prominent position as a Republican on the organization of that party. On account of his long service he was known as the "father of the house," administering the speaker's oath three times to Schuyler Colfax and once to James G. Blame. General Grant in 1869 appointed him his secretary of state, but he soon afterwards resigned to become ambassador to France, where he achieved special distinction. He was the only official representative of a foreign government who remained in Paris during the reign of the commune. For his conduct he was honored by the governments of France and Germany alike.
After his return to the United States he made his home in Chicago. He was strongly favored as a candidate for the presidency in 1880. For several years he devoted much of his time to literary pursuits. Mr. Washburne compiled and published in 1882 a book which is an important contribution to Illinois biography. He died at the age of seventy-one in Chicago October 22, 1887, and left a large estate.

From ILLINOIS, The Heart of the Nation, by Hon. Edward F. Dunne, Volume IV, 1933
Transcribed and contributed by Kim Torp