Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
Biographies
Tallmadge Family
Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
Biographies
Tallmadge Family
Nathaniel TallmadgeTHE Tallmadge family is of Saxon descent, as the name, originally spelled Tollemache, indicates. Burke says, "It has flourished with the greatest honor in an uninterrupted male succession in the County of Suffolk since the first arrival of the Saxons in England, a period of more than thirteen centuries. Tollemache, Lord of Bentley, and Stoke Tollemache, in the County of Oxford, lived in the Sixth century; and upon the old manor-house of Bentley is still the following inscription: "Before the Norman into England came, Bentley was my residence and Tollemache my name."
Joel, father of N. P. Tallmadge, served with honor in the War of the Revolution, and was present at the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne. Nathaniel P. was born at Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., on Feb. 8, 1795. He first attracted attention by an unusual thirst for knowledge, beginning Latin without a tutor, while yet in the district school. So conspicuous was the boy's ability to acquire information that he was placed under the care of William H. Maynard, from whom he imbibed modes of thought that colored his entire life.After graduating from Williams College with honor in 1815, he began the study of law in the
office of Gen. James Tallmadge in Poughkeepsie, who taught him to be thorough rather than in haste to pass an examination. In 1818 he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession wholly eschewing politics until 1828, when he was elected to the Assembly from Duchess County.
Though this Legislature was composed of exceptionally able men, when it came to revising the statutes young Tallmadge showed such a complete knowledge of the principles of law and government that he was soon acknowledged to be a leader.
In 1829 he was elected to the State Senate, where he made a reputation that extended far beyond the borders of his state. DeWitt Clinton's Erie canal project having always been defended by him, he was made chairman of the committee on canals.
The subject of railways had begun to attract attention in the United States. No man in the country had a more thorough understanding than Mr. Tallmadge of the experiments in Europe with steam transportation, and this knowledge was embodied in an elaborate report to the Senate, which discussed the subject in a manner that would do credit to the present day. He pointed out that railway transportation would sooner or later supersede every other form, "as railways do not freeze in the winter nor dry up in the summer, besides in speed and safety, they will be incomparable." He especially desired to see a railroad built along the banks of the Hudson River, between New York and Albany, for the purpose of testing his theory that boats could not long compete with locomotives.
Before the expiration of his term in the State Senate he was elected to the United States Senate for the term of six years beginning March 4, 1833. Although perhaps the youngest man in that body Mr. Tallmadge exerted a marked influence in shaping legislation. He was a sound logician and polished orator and had the reputation of fully understanding whatever matter he undertook to discuss. His controversy with Calhoun on the right of colored people to present petitions to Congress was able and memorable.
But that which disclosed his real strength and audacity of character was his controversy with President Van Buren, some of whose recommendations he opposed. At last the two were brought to a personal interview, which was described as very interesting owing to the attempt of the President to intimidate the Senator from New York.
On returning from Washington, Mr. Tallmadge received an ovation, which was intended as an approval of his opposition to Van Buren. A procession met him at the steamboat landing as an escort to the Astor House, and in the evening he was honored with a reception at National Hall.
His popularity was now great, and he proceeded to organize the Democracy of New York for the purpose of defeating Van Buren. While this was going on, in 1839, he was triumphantly re-elected to the Senate. Having been ostracized by the administration organs of his party, hampered by the use of executive power and denounced as an apostate, "his re-election was generally regarded as foreshadowing the fate of Van Buren, and so it proved. Mr. Tallmadge could have been the nominee for vice-president on the ticket with Gen. Harrison, but declined that honor, as he did also the offer of a seat in Harrison's cabinet and a foreign mission.
In 1844, having purchased a beautiful tract of land near Fond du Lac, in every way fit for the establishment of a baronial home, with the intention of making Wisconsin his future residence, President Tyler nominated him for Governor of the Territory. After some deliberation he resolved to resign his position in the United States Senate and accept the office.
Mr. Tallmadge succeeded .lames D. Doty as chief executive of this Territory, on Sept. 16, 1844, and held the office until May 13, 1845, when, the Democrats having again succeeded to power, he was removed and Gov. Dodge appointed.
Mr. Tallmadge, on becoming Governor, found the people full of excitement, owing to the stormy controversy between the Legislature and Gov. Doty; but he soon restored peace and harmony, and worked hand in hand with that body, to which he delivered his message in person on Jan. 17. 1845."
In this message he pointed out that the famous Milwaukee it Rock River Canal had been
abandoned its projectors having sold enough of the land grant to build a water power at Milwaukee, and recommended that a railway from the Mississippi to Lake Michigan, should be built to take its place.
He also opposed as too early in a new settlement to be wise, the proposed extension of the period required for naturalization to twenty-one years, and recommended the establishment for the promotion of agriculture, of "pattern farms," agricultural societies, and agricultural schools. Those who now take note of our university farm and agricultural experiment station, our farmers- institutes and our numerous agricultural associations, all fostered by public appropriations, must be impressed with the foresight of Gov. Tallmadge.
So dignified, courteous and able was this message that the Legislature authorized 750 copies of it to be printed in German; the first time such an unusual thing was ever done in Wisconsin.
On retiring from the office of Governor, Mr. Tallmadge abandoned active politics, and though continuing his residence at Fond du Lac, spent a large portion of his time in Washington, where he was ever ready to advance the interests of Wisconsin.
Gov. Tallmadge was a lover of literature, philosophy and good company. His speeches and writings abound in apt and beautiful poetical quotations; he eagerly espoused any controversy upon the problem of life, of which he took an ethereal though philosophical view, and his spacious home was ever open to his hosts of friends.
There settled near Fond du Lac at an early day a considerable list of people remarkable for wealth, culture and hospitality. In fact there was no social coterie in the Territory at all to be compared with the one under mention at the time Govs. Doty and Tallmadge settled at Fond du Lac; and the life they lived of constantly interchanging social amenities of the most cordial and polished character, can hardly be understood by the present generation. Their children were taught French, music and art by private tutors; they gave hunting and other parties on a broad scale; they regarded the poor with consideration and respect and they added in every way a charm and wholesome glamour to society that had never been seen in a new country and is not now to be found anywhere. In all this the Tallmadge family were leaders for many years and very popular.
Gov. Tallmadge was romantic and fine-grained in his organization, as may be seen by reading an early volume published by him-"Healing of the Nations." He left an autobiography, which is to be published in the future.
[Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara; By Acme Publishing Co., Chicago; Publ. 1889; Pgs. 120-122; Transcribed and submitted by Andrea Stawski Pack]
