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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name             = Salmon P. Chase
| name = Salmon P. Chase
| birth_name       = Salmon Portland Chase
| birth_name = Salmon Portland Chase
| birth_date       = {{Birth date|1808|1|13}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1808|1|13}}
| birth_place     = [[Cornish, New Hampshire]], U.S.
| birth_place = Cornish, New Hampshire, U.S.
| death_date       = {{Death date and age|1873|5|7|1808|1|13}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1873|5|7|1808|1|13}}
| death_place     = [[New York City]], U.S.
| death_place = New York City, U.S.
| nationality     = American
| nationality = American
| occupation       = Politician, jurist, lawyer
| occupation = {{unbulleted list|Politician|Jurist|Lawyer}}
| education        = [[Dartmouth College]] (BA)
| known_for = 6th Chief Justice of the United States; 25th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury; anti-slavery advocacy; co-founding the Republican Party
| known_for       = 6th Chief Justice of the United States; U.S. Secretary of the Treasury during the Civil War; anti-slavery advocacy; establishment of national banking system
| education = Dartmouth College (BA)
| children         = 2 (Kate and Janette)
| children = 2
| awards           = Featured on the $10,000 bill
| awards = {{unbulleted list|Face on the $10,000 bill|Namesake of the Salmon P. Chase Center at Ohio State University}}
| signature       = Salmon P Chase Signature.svg
| signature = Salmon P Chase Signature.svg
}}
}}


'''Salmon Portland Chase''' (January 13, 1808 – May 7, 1873) was an American politician and jurist whose career spanned all three branches of the federal government and left a lasting imprint on the nation's legal, financial, and political history. He served as the sixth [[Chief Justice of the United States]] from 1864 until his death in 1873, as the 25th [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]] from 1861 to 1864 during the [[American Civil War]], as the 23rd [[Governor of Ohio]] from 1856 to 1860, and as a [[United States Senator]] representing Ohio. Before entering politics, Chase built a reputation as one of the most prominent anti-slavery lawyers in the country, frequently defending fugitive slaves in court and earning the nickname "Attorney General for Fugitive Slaves." He played instrumental roles in founding both the [[Free Soil Party]] and the [[Republican Party]], and his work at the Treasury Department—overseeing the financing of the Union war effort, establishing a national banking system, and introducing the motto "In God We Trust" on American currency—shaped the nation's financial infrastructure for generations. Chase is one of the few American politicians to have held constitutional office in all three branches of the federal government while also serving in the highest state-level office. His likeness was placed on the $10,000 bill, the highest denomination of U.S. currency ever publicly circulated.<ref>{{cite web |title=Over Easy: The unsung Cornish-born hero on $10,000 bill |url=https://vnews.com/2025/12/06/salmon-chase-10000-bill/ |publisher=Valley News |date=2025-12-06 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Salmon Portland Chase (January 13, 1808 – May 7, 1873) was an American politician and jurist whose career spanned all three branches of the federal government, as well as the highest state-level office. He served as the sixth Chief Justice of the United States from 1864 until his death in 1873, as the 25th United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1861 to 1864, as the 23rd Governor of Ohio from 1856 to 1860, and as a United States Senator from Ohio from 1849 to 1855 and briefly in 1861.<ref name="bioguide">{{cite web |title=Chase, Salmon Portland (1808–1873) |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000332 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Born in the small New Hampshire town of Cornish, Chase rose from modest origins to become one of the most consequential American statesmen of the nineteenth century. As a young lawyer in Cincinnati, he built a reputation as a tireless defender of fugitive slaves, earning the sobriquet "Attorney General of Fugitive Slaves." His opposition to slavery propelled him through a succession of political parties—from the Whigs to the Liberty Party, the Free Soil Party, and ultimately the Republican Party, which he helped to establish. As Secretary of the Treasury during the Civil War, Chase oversaw the financing of the Union war effort and introduced the national banking system. As Chief Justice, he presided over the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in 1868. Throughout his career, Chase harbored presidential ambitions that went unrealized, seeking nominations from both the Republican and Democratic parties on multiple occasions.<ref name="ohiohistory">{{cite web |title=Salmon P. Chase |url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Salmon_P._Chase |publisher=Ohio History Central |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Salmon Portland Chase was born on January 13, 1808, in [[Cornish, New Hampshire]], to Ithamar Chase and Janet Ralston Chase.<ref name="bioguide">{{cite web |title=Chase, Salmon Portland (1808–1873) |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000332 |publisher=Biographical Directory of the United States Congress |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> He was one of several children in a family with deep roots in New England. His father, Ithamar Chase, was a farmer and glassmaker who also held local political office. The elder Chase died when Salmon was nine years old, leaving the family in financial difficulty.<ref name="ohiohistory">{{cite web |title=Salmon P. Chase |url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Salmon_P._Chase |publisher=Ohio History Central |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Salmon Portland Chase was born on January 13, 1808, in Cornish, New Hampshire, to Ithamar Chase and Janet Ralston Chase.<ref name="bioguide" /> His father was a farmer and businessman who also held local political office. The Chase family had deep roots in New England; Salmon was a descendant of Aquila Chase, one of the early English settlers of the region. The family was of modest means, and Salmon's childhood was marked by both the rural character of the New Hampshire countryside and the intellectual aspirations that pervaded New England Puritan culture.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


Following his father's death, young Chase was sent to live with his uncle, [[Philander Chase]], who was the [[Episcopal Bishop]] of Ohio. Under his uncle's strict supervision, Chase received a classical education in the frontier state. Philander Chase was a formidable figure—a churchman and educator who would go on to found [[Kenyon College]] in Gambier, Ohio. Living with his uncle exposed Salmon to both religious discipline and the intellectual culture of the early American West.<ref name="ohiohistory" />
Chase's father died in 1817, when Salmon was nine years old, leaving the family in financial difficulty. Following his father's death, Chase was sent to live with his uncle, Philander Chase, who was the Episcopal Bishop of Ohio and later became the founder and first president of Kenyon College. Under his uncle's care, Chase received a classical education and was introduced to the religious and moral values that would shape his lifelong opposition to slavery.<ref name="ohiohistory" /> Life under Bishop Chase was rigorous and austere; the young Salmon was expected to contribute labor on his uncle's property while pursuing his studies. This period in Ohio exposed Chase to the Western frontier and to the social dynamics of a rapidly expanding region where questions of slavery and free labor were becoming increasingly contentious.


Chase's early years in Ohio shaped his understanding of the expanding American republic and its tensions over slavery. The state of Ohio, situated across the river from the slaveholding states of Virginia and Kentucky, was a frequent destination for escaped slaves, and the moral questions surrounding slavery would become central to Chase's life and career. His formative years under his uncle's care instilled in him a sense of moral seriousness and public duty that would define his political trajectory.
Chase's early years instilled in him a sense of moral purpose and ambition. Despite the hardships of his youth, he demonstrated academic aptitude and a determination to advance himself through education and professional achievement. These formative experiences—the loss of his father, his time under his uncle's stern tutelage, and his exposure to the social questions of the Ohio frontier—laid the groundwork for his later career as an anti-slavery lawyer and politician.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


== Education ==
== Education ==


Chase enrolled at [[Dartmouth College]] in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he graduated in 1826.<ref name="bioguide" /> At Dartmouth, he distinguished himself academically, graduating near the top of his class, a fact that he and his admirers noted throughout his career.<ref>{{cite web |title=Letter: Another Salmon P. Chase fact |url=https://vnews.com/2025/12/11/letter-another-salmon-p-chase-fact/ |publisher=Valley News |date=2025-12-11 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Chase attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he graduated in 1826 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.<ref name="bioguide" /> At Dartmouth, Chase distinguished himself as a capable student and graduated near the top of his class at the age of eighteen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Letter: Another Salmon P. Chase fact |url=https://vnews.com/2025/12/11/letter-another-salmon-p-chase-fact/ |publisher=Valley News |date=2025-12-11 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Following his graduation from Dartmouth, Chase moved to Washington, D.C., where he studied law under the mentorship of Attorney General William Wirt.<ref name="bioguide" /> Wirt, one of the most prominent lawyers in the country and the longest-serving Attorney General in American history, provided Chase with a rigorous legal education and introduced him to the political circles of the nation's capital. Chase was admitted to the bar in 1829 and subsequently moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, to establish his legal practice.<ref name="ohiohistory" />
 
After graduating from Dartmouth, Chase moved to [[Washington, D.C.]], where he studied law under [[William Wirt]], then serving as the [[United States Attorney General]]. This apprenticeship under Wirt was a prestigious opportunity that provided Chase with both legal training and valuable political connections in the nation's capital. During this period, Chase also operated a school for boys in Washington to support himself financially. He was admitted to the bar in 1829 and shortly thereafter relocated to [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], where he established his legal practice.<ref name="bioguide" /><ref name="ohiohistory" />


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Early Legal Career and Anti-Slavery Advocacy ===
=== Early Legal Career and Anti-Slavery Advocacy ===


Chase settled in Cincinnati in 1830 and quickly established himself as a capable attorney. Cincinnati, located on the Ohio River directly across from slaveholding Kentucky, was a hotbed of tension over the slavery question. The city's proximity to slave states made it a frequent crossing point for fugitive slaves, and Chase soon became deeply involved in defending those who had escaped bondage or those who had aided them.<ref name="ohiohistory" />
After settling in Cincinnati in 1830, Chase quickly established himself as a capable lawyer. Cincinnati's location on the Ohio River, directly across from the slave state of Kentucky, made it a focal point of the tensions surrounding slavery and the fugitive slave question. Chase became deeply involved in the anti-slavery movement and gained national prominence by defending fugitive slaves and those who aided them in court. He took on such cases frequently, often without compensation, which earned him the nickname "Attorney General of Fugitive Slaves."<ref name="ohiohistory" />


Chase earned the sobriquet "Attorney General for Fugitive Slaves" for his persistent legal defense of escaped slaves and their allies. He developed sophisticated constitutional arguments against slavery, contending that the institution was a creature of local law with no standing under the federal Constitution. He argued that the federal government had no power to create or sustain slavery and that enslaved persons who reached free soil were automatically emancipated. Although his arguments did not always prevail in court, they established important legal and intellectual frameworks that would be adopted by the broader anti-slavery movement.<ref name="ohiohistory" /><ref name="mrlincoln">{{cite web |title=Salmon P. Chase |url=http://www.mrlincolnandfreedom.org/inside.asp?ID=68&subjectID=4 |publisher=Mr. Lincoln and Freedom |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Chase's legal arguments in fugitive slave cases were innovative and influential. He contended that slavery was a local institution that had no standing under federal law and that slaves who escaped to free states were entitled to their liberty. While his arguments did not always prevail in the courts of the time, they advanced the legal and intellectual framework of the anti-slavery movement and contributed to the growing sectional crisis over the institution of slavery.<ref name="impeach">{{cite web |title=Salmon P. Chase |url=http://www.impeach-andrewjohnson.com/11BiographiesKeyIndividuals/SalmonPChase.htm |publisher=Impeach Andrew Johnson |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Chase's anti-slavery legal work was not merely theoretical. He took on individual cases defending fugitive slaves at personal and professional risk, often without compensation. His commitment to the cause brought him into contact with leading abolitionists and reformers, establishing his reputation as one of the foremost anti-slavery figures in the West.
=== Political Career: From the Whig Party to the Republican Party ===


=== Political Career: Liberty Party and Free Soil Party ===
Chase's anti-slavery convictions led him into politics. Initially a member of the Whig Party, he left the party in 1841, dissatisfied with its reluctance to take a firm stance against slavery. He became the leader of Ohio's Liberty Party, a small but dedicated anti-slavery political organization.<ref name="ohiohistory" /> In 1848, Chase played a central role in the formation of the Free Soil Party, a coalition of anti-slavery Democrats, Whigs, and Liberty Party members united in their opposition to the expansion of slavery into the western territories. Chase was instrumental in recruiting former President Martin Van Buren to serve as the Free Soil Party's presidential nominee in the 1848 election.<ref name="bioguide" />


Chase's anti-slavery convictions led him to abandon the [[Whig Party]] in 1841 and become a leader of Ohio's [[Liberty Party]], which was dedicated to opposing the expansion of slavery through political action. Chase sought to broaden the party's appeal beyond its narrow abolitionist base, arguing for a coalition strategy that could attract mainstream voters opposed to slavery's spread.<ref name="bioguide" />
In 1849, Chase was elected to the United States Senate by the Ohio state legislature, taking office on March 4, 1849, and serving until March 3, 1855.<ref name="bioguide" /> In the Senate, Chase emerged as one of the most forceful voices against the expansion of slavery. He opposed the Compromise of 1850, which included a stricter Fugitive Slave Act, and vigorously opposed the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854, which opened the possibility of slavery in territories where it had previously been prohibited under the Missouri Compromise. Chase's opposition to the Kansas–Nebraska Act helped galvanize anti-slavery sentiment in the North and contributed directly to the collapse of the existing party system.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


In 1848, Chase played a central role in establishing the [[Free Soil Party]], which united anti-slavery Whigs, Liberty Party members, and disaffected Democrats under the banner of opposing the extension of slavery into the western territories. Chase was instrumental in recruiting former President [[Martin Van Buren]] to serve as the party's presidential nominee in the 1848 election. While Van Buren did not win the presidency, the Free Soil campaign demonstrated the political viability of anti-slavery sentiment and laid the groundwork for the eventual formation of the Republican Party.<ref name="bioguide" /><ref name="ohiohistory" />
In the aftermath of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, Chase was one of the principal figures in the establishment of the Republican Party in 1854. The new party united former Whigs, Free Soilers, and anti-slavery Democrats under a common banner opposing the extension of slavery into the territories. Chase's role in founding the Republican Party cemented his national stature as a leading anti-slavery politician.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


=== United States Senate (1849–1855) ===
=== Governor of Ohio ===


Chase won election to the [[United States Senate]] in 1849, representing Ohio. His election was made possible by a coalition of Free Soil and Democratic members in the Ohio state legislature. In the Senate, Chase became one of the most vocal opponents of the [[Compromise of 1850]], particularly the [[Fugitive Slave Act of 1850]], which he viewed as an unconstitutional extension of slaveholders' power into free states.<ref name="bioguide" />
After leaving the Senate, Chase was elected as the 23rd Governor of Ohio in 1855, taking office on January 14, 1856. He served two terms, leaving office on January 9, 1860.<ref name="bioguide" /> As governor, Chase was the first Republican to hold the office in Ohio. He used the governorship to advance the anti-slavery cause, working to strengthen the state's personal liberty laws, which were designed to protect free Black residents and fugitive slaves from being seized under the federal Fugitive Slave Act. Chase's tenure as governor also saw improvements to the state's banking and financial systems, foreshadowing his later work as Secretary of the Treasury.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


Chase also emerged as a leading opponent of the [[Kansas–Nebraska Act]] of 1854, which proposed to allow settlers in the new territories to decide the slavery question for themselves through [[popular sovereignty]], effectively repealing the [[Missouri Compromise]]'s prohibition on slavery north of the 36°30′ parallel. Chase co-authored the "Appeal of the Independent Democrats," a manifesto denouncing the Kansas–Nebraska Act as a "gross violation of a sacred pledge" and a conspiracy to extend slavery. The appeal galvanized anti-slavery opinion across the North and contributed to the political realignment that produced the Republican Party.<ref name="ohiohistory" />
During his time as governor, Chase harbored presidential ambitions. He sought the Republican nomination for president in the 1860 presidential election, positioning himself as a candidate who could unite the party's anti-slavery factions. However, at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, the nomination went to Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, who was considered more moderate and more electable.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


In the aftermath of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, Chase helped establish the [[Republican Party]] in 1854, which brought together former Whigs, Free Soilers, and anti-slavery Democrats in a coalition opposed to the extension of slavery into the territories. Chase's role in founding the party cemented his status as a major national political figure.<ref name="bioguide" />
=== Secretary of the Treasury ===


=== Governor of Ohio (1856–1860) ===
Following Lincoln's victory in the 1860 presidential election, the president-elect invited Chase to serve as Secretary of the Treasury, a position Chase accepted. He took office on March 7, 1861, just weeks before the outbreak of the Civil War.<ref name="bioguide" /> Chase briefly returned to the Senate in March 1861, holding the seat from March 4 to March 6 before resigning to join the Cabinet.<ref name="bioguide" />


Chase was elected the 23rd Governor of Ohio in 1855, taking office in January 1856 as the first Republican governor of the state.<ref name="bioguide" /> He was re-elected in 1857, serving until January 9, 1860. As governor, Chase worked to advance the anti-slavery cause within the limits of state authority. He advocated for the rights of Black Ohioans, sought to prevent the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act within the state, and used the governor's office as a platform to promote Republican principles nationally.<ref name="ohiohistory" />
As Secretary of the Treasury, Chase faced the enormous challenge of financing the Union war effort. The federal government's revenues were insufficient to fund the massive military expenditures required by the war, and Chase oversaw a dramatic expansion of federal financial power. He implemented the first federal income tax and authorized the issuance of paper currency—"greenbacks"—to help pay for the war.<ref name="treasury">{{cite web |title=In God We Trust |url=http://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx |publisher=United States Department of the Treasury |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Chase was also responsible for the establishment of the national banking system under the National Banking Acts of 1863 and 1864, which created a uniform national currency and a system of nationally chartered banks. These measures represented a fundamental transformation of American public finance and laid the foundation for the modern financial system.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


Chase's tenure as governor also demonstrated his administrative capabilities, which would later serve him during his time at the Treasury Department. He oversaw improvements in the state's financial management and supported educational and institutional reforms. His successful governorship made him a leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 1860.
Chase is also credited with placing the motto "In God We Trust" on United States coinage, responding to increased religious sentiment during the Civil War and public calls for a recognition of God on the nation's currency.<ref name="treasury" />


=== 1860 Presidential Campaign ===
Despite his accomplishments, Chase's tenure at the Treasury was marked by friction with President Lincoln. Chase was more radical in his views on slavery and Reconstruction than Lincoln, and he maintained close ties with the Radical Republicans in Congress. Relations between the two men were further strained by Chase's persistent presidential ambitions. Chase tendered his resignation on multiple occasions, and Lincoln finally accepted it on June 30, 1864.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


Chase actively sought the [[Republican Party presidential nomination]] in the [[1860 United States presidential election|1860 presidential election]]. He was considered one of the leading candidates, alongside [[William H. Seward]] of New York and [[Abraham Lincoln]] of Illinois. However, Chase's strong anti-slavery positions and his perceived radicalism made him a polarizing figure within the party. At the [[1860 Republican National Convention]] in Chicago, the nomination went to Lincoln, who was seen as more electable and more moderate on the slavery question.<ref name="mrlincoln" />
=== Presidential Ambitions ===


Chase briefly returned to the Senate in March 1861, serving from March 4 to March 6, before accepting President Lincoln's appointment as Secretary of the Treasury.<ref name="bioguide" />
Chase's desire for the presidency was a recurring theme throughout his political career. He sought the Republican nomination in 1860, losing to Lincoln. He again sought the nomination in 1864, even while serving in Lincoln's Cabinet, though he ultimately withdrew from the contest. After his appointment as Chief Justice, Chase pursued the Democratic presidential nomination in 1868, attempting to position himself as a moderate candidate who could bridge the divide between Radical Reconstruction and reconciliation with the South. He failed to secure the nomination, which went to Horatio Seymour. In 1872, Chase sought the Liberal Republican nomination, but again fell short, with the nomination going to Horace Greeley.<ref name="ohiohistory" /> His repeated and unsuccessful bids for the presidency, even while serving on the Supreme Court, were a source of controversy and criticism, as many considered such political activity incompatible with the judicial office.<ref name="impeach" />


=== Secretary of the Treasury (1861–1864) ===
=== Chief Justice of the United States ===


President Lincoln appointed Chase as the 25th [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]], and he served in that position from March 7, 1861, to June 30, 1864. Chase's tenure at the Treasury coincided with the most financially demanding period in American history to that date. The Civil War required unprecedented levels of government spending, and Chase was responsible for finding the means to finance the Union war effort.<ref name="bioguide" /><ref name="mrlincoln" />
Following the death of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney in October 1864, President Lincoln nominated Chase to fill the vacancy. Lincoln's decision was motivated in part by a desire to appease the Radical Republicans, who supported Chase, and in part by his confidence that Chase would uphold the administration's wartime measures and support the legal framework of emancipation.<ref name="ohiohistory" /> Chase was confirmed by the Senate on December 6, 1864, and served as the sixth Chief Justice of the United States from that date until his death on May 7, 1873.<ref name="scotus">{{cite web |title=The Supreme Court Historical Society |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050903032026/http://www.supremecourthistory.org/04_library/subs_volumes/04_c20_e.html |publisher=Supreme Court Historical Society |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Chase oversaw a sweeping transformation of the nation's financial system. Among his most significant accomplishments was the establishment of the [[national banking system]] through the [[National Banking Acts]] of 1863 and 1864. This system created a network of nationally chartered banks that could issue a uniform national currency, replacing the chaotic system of state-chartered banks that had issued a bewildering variety of banknotes before the war. The national banking system provided a stable financial foundation for the Union and remained a central feature of American banking until the creation of the [[Federal Reserve System]] in 1913.<ref name="ohiohistory" />
As Chief Justice, Chase presided over a period of significant constitutional change. The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution were ratified during his tenure, abolishing slavery, establishing equal protection under the law, and guaranteeing voting rights regardless of race. Chase's court was called upon to adjudicate numerous cases arising from the Civil War and Reconstruction, including questions about the constitutionality of military tribunals, loyalty oaths, and the Legal Tender Acts that Chase himself had championed as Secretary of the Treasury.<ref name="scotus" />


Chase also oversaw the issuance of [[United States Note|"greenbacks"]]—paper currency issued directly by the federal government to finance the war. The introduction of greenbacks was controversial, as many questioned the constitutionality and wisdom of paper money not backed by gold or silver, but the measure was deemed necessary given the enormous costs of the conflict.<ref name="mrlincoln" />
One of the most notable episodes of Chase's tenure as Chief Justice was his role in the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in 1868. Under the Constitution, the Chief Justice presides over the Senate trial in cases of presidential impeachment. Chase sought to conduct the proceedings in a fair and judicial manner, insisting on procedural rules that angered Radical Republicans who wished for a swift conviction. Johnson was ultimately acquitted by a single vote, and Chase's conduct during the trial was generally regarded as impartial, though it drew criticism from those who believed he was too lenient toward the president.<ref name="impeach" />


Additionally, Chase is credited with introducing the motto "In God We Trust" on United States coins. In response to increased religious sentiment during the Civil War, Chase directed the [[United States Mint]] to develop a motto recognizing the nation's reliance on God. The motto first appeared on the two-cent piece in 1864 and eventually became the official motto of the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of 'In God We Trust' |url=http://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx |publisher=United States Department of the Treasury |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In the area of legal tender, Chase's court issued a notable ruling in ''Hepburn v. Griswold'' (1870), which declared the Legal Tender Act of 1862 unconstitutional as applied to debts contracted before its passage. This was a remarkable development, as Chase himself had been the architect of the Legal Tender Act during his tenure as Secretary of the Treasury. The decision was later effectively reversed in the Legal Tender Cases of 1871, after new appointments to the court shifted the majority.<ref name="scotus" />


Chase's relationship with Lincoln was complex and often strained. While Lincoln respected Chase's financial acumen and his standing among Radical Republicans, Chase frequently clashed with other Cabinet members and was not above political maneuvering to advance his own presidential ambitions while serving in the Cabinet. Chase submitted his resignation on several occasions; Lincoln initially declined to accept them but finally accepted Chase's resignation on June 30, 1864.<ref name="mrlincoln" />
Chase also wrote the opinion in ''Texas v. White'' (1869), a landmark case in which the court held that the Constitution did not permit states to unilaterally secede from the Union, affirming the indestructibility of the Union while also acknowledging that the federal government had the authority to establish Reconstruction governments in the former Confederate states.<ref name="scotus" />


=== Chief Justice of the United States (1864–1873) ===
== Personal Life ==


Following the death of Chief Justice [[Roger B. Taney]] in October 1864, Lincoln nominated Chase to fill the vacancy. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate on December 6, 1864, the same day it was submitted. Lincoln's decision to appoint Chase was motivated in part by a desire to appease the [[Radical Republicans]], who supported Chase, and in part by Lincoln's confidence that Chase would uphold the legal measures taken during the war, including emancipation and the use of paper currency.<ref name="bioguide" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Salmon P. Chase, 1864–1873 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050903032026/http://www.supremecourthistory.org/04_library/subs_volumes/04_c20_e.html |publisher=Supreme Court Historical Society |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Chase married three times, each marriage ending with the death of his wife. His first wife was Katherine Jane Garniss, whom he married in 1834; she died in 1835. He married Eliza Ann Smith in 1839; she died in 1845. His third wife was Sarah Bella Dunlop Ludlow, whom he married in 1846; she died in 1852.<ref name="ohiohistory" /> The repeated losses took a heavy emotional toll on Chase. Of his six children, only two daughters survived to adulthood: Catherine "Kate" Chase and Janet "Nettie" Chase.<ref name="bioguide" />


As Chief Justice, Chase presided over the Supreme Court during the tumultuous [[Reconstruction era]]. One of the most significant moments of his tenure came in 1868, when he presided over the [[impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson|Senate impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson]]. Chase conducted the proceedings with a commitment to procedural fairness, insisting that the trial follow judicial rather than purely political rules. Johnson was ultimately acquitted by a single vote, and Chase's handling of the trial was generally regarded as impartial and judicious.<ref>{{cite web |title=Salmon P. Chase — Impeachment |url=http://www.impeach-andrewjohnson.com/11BiographiesKeyIndividuals/SalmonPChase.htm |publisher=Impeach Andrew Johnson |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Kate Chase Sprague became one of the most prominent social figures in Washington, D.C., during the Civil War era. She married William Sprague IV, a wealthy Rhode Island senator, and served as her father's political hostess and informal campaign manager during his various bids for the presidency.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


Chase's judicial record on the Court included important rulings on Reconstruction-era legal questions. He grappled with cases involving the constitutional status of the former Confederate states, the rights of individuals under military tribunals, and the scope of congressional power during Reconstruction. In the [[Legal Tender Cases]], Chase notably ruled against the constitutionality of the very greenback currency he had helped create as Secretary of the Treasury, a position that was later overturned by the Court after new justices were appointed.
Chase was a devout Episcopalian whose religious convictions informed his opposition to slavery and his moral outlook. He was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


=== Continued Presidential Ambitions ===
Chase died on May 7, 1873, in New York City, having suffered a stroke. He was 65 years old.<ref name="bioguide" />


Despite his elevation to the nation's highest judicial office, Chase never abandoned his presidential aspirations. He unsuccessfully sought the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] presidential nomination in the [[1868 United States presidential election|1868 election]], a remarkable political pivot for a man who had been one of the founders of the Republican Party. His willingness to court Democratic support reflected both his personal ambition and his evolving views on Reconstruction, as he had come to favor a more conciliatory approach toward the South and universal suffrage.<ref name="bioguide" /><ref name="ohiohistory" />
== Recognition ==


Chase also sought the [[Liberal Republican Party (United States)|Liberal Republican]] nomination in [[1872 United States presidential election|1872]], but was again unsuccessful. His persistent pursuit of the presidency from the bench was unusual and drew criticism from those who believed it was inappropriate for a sitting Chief Justice to engage in partisan politics.<ref name="bioguide" />
Chase's contributions to American law, finance, and politics have been recognized in numerous ways. His likeness appeared on the $10,000 bill, the highest denomination of United States currency ever printed for public circulation. Chase chose his own image for the $1 bill during his tenure as Secretary of the Treasury, though it was later replaced.<ref>{{cite web |title=Over Easy: The unsung Cornish-born hero on $10,000 bill |url=https://vnews.com/2025/12/06/salmon-chase-10000-bill/ |publisher=Valley News |date=2025-12-06 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
Chase National Bank, which later became part of JPMorgan Chase & Co., was named in his honor, reflecting his lasting influence on American banking and finance.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


Chase married three times, each marriage ending with the death of his wife. He married Katherine Jane Garniss in 1834; she died in 1835. His second wife, Eliza Ann Smith, whom he married in 1839, died in 1845. He married Sarah Bella Dunlop Ludlow in 1846; she died in 1852. The repeated personal losses deeply affected Chase throughout his life.<ref name="ohiohistory" />
Several institutions bear his name, including the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University. In 2025, The Ohio State University's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society launched its inaugural academic courses and received significant funding, including a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and a $5 million grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, to support its mission of civic education.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-02 |title=Ohio State University's Salmon P. Chase Center announces $5M grant |url=https://www.wosu.org/politics-government/2026-02-02/ohio-state-universitys-salmon-p-chase-center-announces-5m-grant |work=WOSU Public Media |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2025-10-14 |title=Salmon P. Chase Center Received $3 Million Grant From U.S. Department of Education |url=https://www.thelantern.com/2025/10/salmon-p-chase-center-received-3-million-grant-from-u-s-department-of-education/ |work=The Lantern |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The center also announced 10 new courses and a minor in Civics, Law and Leadership for its spring 2026 semester.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-11 |title=Salmon P. Chase Center to launch new minor and 10 new courses for Spring 2026 semester |url=https://www.thelantern.com/2025/11/salmon-p-chase-center-to-launch-new-minor-and-10-new-courses-for-spring-2026-semester/ |work=The Lantern |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Chase had several children, though most died in infancy. Two daughters survived to adulthood: Katherine "Kate" Chase Sprague and Janet Ralston "Nettie" Chase Hoyt. Kate Chase became one of the most prominent social figures in wartime Washington and served as her father's hostess and political confidante. She married Senator [[William Sprague IV]] of Rhode Island in a celebrated 1863 wedding.<ref name="ohiohistory" />
Camp Chase, a Civil War military camp and prisoner-of-war facility in Columbus, Ohio, was named after Chase during his governorship. Counties in Kansas, Nebraska, and other states also bear his name, as do numerous streets and public buildings across the United States.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


Chase suffered a stroke in 1870 that left him partially paralyzed and significantly impaired his ability to carry out his duties as Chief Justice. Despite his declining health, he remained on the bench and continued to harbor political ambitions. He died on May 7, 1873, in New York City. He was buried at [[Spring Grove Cemetery]] in Cincinnati, Ohio.<ref name="bioguide" />
== Legacy ==


== Recognition ==
Salmon P. Chase occupies a distinctive place in American history as one of the few individuals to have held constitutional office in all three branches of the federal government—as a senator in the legislative branch, as Secretary of the Treasury in the executive branch, and as Chief Justice in the judicial branch—in addition to serving as governor of a major state.<ref name="bioguide" />
 
Chase's contributions to American law, finance, and politics have been recognized in numerous ways. Most notably, his portrait was placed on the $10,000 bill, the highest denomination of U.S. currency ever publicly circulated. The selection was made by the Treasury Department in 1928, reflecting Chase's foundational role in establishing the national banking and currency system during the Civil War.<ref>{{cite web |title=Over Easy: The unsung Cornish-born hero on $10,000 bill |url=https://vnews.com/2025/12/06/salmon-chase-10000-bill/ |publisher=Valley News |date=2025-12-06 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
[[Camp Chase]], a Civil War military staging area and prisoner-of-war camp near Columbus, Ohio, was named in his honor during his tenure as Governor. [[Chase National Bank]], which later merged with the Manhattan Company to form [[Chase Manhattan Bank]] (now part of [[JPMorgan Chase]]), was named after him, linking his name to one of the largest financial institutions in the world.


The [[Salmon P. Chase College of Law]], now part of [[Northern Kentucky University]], bears his name, as does [[Chase Hall]] at Dartmouth College, his alma mater. Various streets, schools, and public buildings across the country carry his name.
Chase's most enduring contributions lie in two areas: the anti-slavery movement and the transformation of American public finance. As a lawyer and politician, Chase was among the most prominent opponents of slavery in the decades before the Civil War. His legal arguments on behalf of fugitive slaves helped define the anti-slavery position in American jurisprudence, and his political activities—from the Liberty Party through the Free Soil Party to the founding of the Republican Party—were instrumental in building the political coalition that ultimately brought about the abolition of slavery.<ref name="ohiohistory" />


== Legacy ==
As Secretary of the Treasury, Chase's innovations in public finance—including the national banking system, the greenback currency, and the federal income tax—transformed the fiscal capacity of the federal government and established structures that endured long after the Civil War. His placement of "In God We Trust" on American coinage created a tradition that continues to the present day.<ref name="treasury" />


Salmon P. Chase occupies a distinctive position in American history as a figure who shaped the nation during its most transformative period. His legal arguments against slavery, developed in the courtrooms of antebellum Cincinnati, provided intellectual ammunition for the anti-slavery movement and helped establish the constitutional framework that would ultimately lead to abolition. His political work—founding the Free Soil Party and the Republican Party—helped create the institutional vehicles through which anti-slavery sentiment was translated into political power.
As Chief Justice, Chase guided the Supreme Court through the turbulent Reconstruction era, presiding over landmark cases that defined the constitutional relationship between the federal government and the states in the aftermath of the Civil War. His opinion in ''Texas v. White'' remains a foundational statement on the nature of the Union and the limits of state sovereignty.<ref name="scotus" />


As Secretary of the Treasury, Chase's creation of the national banking system and his management of wartime finance represented perhaps his most enduring practical legacy. The financial infrastructure he built sustained the Union during the Civil War and shaped American monetary policy for decades afterward.
Chase's legacy is not without complexity. His persistent presidential ambitions, pursued even from the bench of the Supreme Court, drew criticism from contemporaries and have invited scrutiny from historians. His reversal on the constitutionality of legal tender—having championed paper currency as Treasury Secretary and then voting to strike it down as Chief Justice—has been characterized as either a principled reassessment or an act of political inconsistency.<ref name="scotus" />


As Chief Justice, Chase guided the Supreme Court through the complexities of Reconstruction with a commitment to procedural integrity, even as his personal political ambitions sometimes complicated his judicial role. His conduct of the Johnson impeachment trial set precedents for the handling of presidential impeachments that were cited in subsequent proceedings.
Nevertheless, Chase is recognized as a figure of substantial historical importance whose career intersected with and shaped many of the defining events and institutions of nineteenth-century America. The continued use of his name for educational and civic institutions—most recently The Ohio State University's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society—reflects an ongoing recognition of his contributions to American civic life.<ref>{{cite news |date=2025-09-04 |title=Salmon P. Chase Center launches first academic courses for Autumn 2025 |url=https://www.thelantern.com/2025/09/salmon-p-chase-center-launches-first-academic-courses-for-autumn-2025/ |work=The Lantern |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
In the 21st century, Chase's legacy has taken on new dimensions through educational institutions bearing his name. The Ohio State University established the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society, which launched its first academic courses in autumn 2025 and announced a minor in Civics, Law and Leadership for the spring 2026 semester. The center received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and a $5 million grant from the [[National Endowment for the Humanities]], reflecting continued interest in Chase's legacy as a model for civic engagement and public service.<ref>{{cite web |title=Salmon P. Chase Center Receives $5 Million National Endowment For Humanities Grant |url=https://www.thelantern.com/2026/01/salmon-p-chase-center-receives-5-million-national-endowment-for-humanities-grant/ |publisher=The Lantern |date=2026-01-28 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Salmon P. Chase Center Received $3 Million Grant From U.S. Department of Education |url=https://www.thelantern.com/2025/10/salmon-p-chase-center-received-3-million-grant-from-u-s-department-of-education/ |publisher=The Lantern |date=2025-10-14 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ohio State University's Salmon P. Chase Center announces $5M grant |url=https://www.wosu.org/politics-government/2026-02-02/ohio-state-universitys-salmon-p-chase-center-announces-5m-grant |publisher=WOSU Public Media |date=2026-02-02 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Chase's persistent yet unsuccessful pursuit of the presidency—spanning multiple elections and party affiliations, even from the bench of the Supreme Court—has been a subject of historical study as an example of the intersection of ambition and public service in American political life. His willingness to cross party lines in pursuit of the presidency, moving from the Republican to the Democratic Party, illustrated both his political flexibility and the fluid nature of party allegiance during the Civil War and Reconstruction eras.


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 22:06, 24 February 2026


Salmon P. Chase
BornSalmon Portland Chase
13 1, 1808
BirthplaceCornish, New Hampshire, U.S.
DiedTemplate:Death date and age
New York City, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationTemplate:Unbulleted list
Known for6th Chief Justice of the United States; 25th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury; anti-slavery advocacy; co-founding the Republican Party
EducationDartmouth College (BA)
Children2
AwardsTemplate:Unbulleted list

Salmon Portland Chase (January 13, 1808 – May 7, 1873) was an American politician and jurist whose career spanned all three branches of the federal government, as well as the highest state-level office. He served as the sixth Chief Justice of the United States from 1864 until his death in 1873, as the 25th United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1861 to 1864, as the 23rd Governor of Ohio from 1856 to 1860, and as a United States Senator from Ohio from 1849 to 1855 and briefly in 1861.[1] Born in the small New Hampshire town of Cornish, Chase rose from modest origins to become one of the most consequential American statesmen of the nineteenth century. As a young lawyer in Cincinnati, he built a reputation as a tireless defender of fugitive slaves, earning the sobriquet "Attorney General of Fugitive Slaves." His opposition to slavery propelled him through a succession of political parties—from the Whigs to the Liberty Party, the Free Soil Party, and ultimately the Republican Party, which he helped to establish. As Secretary of the Treasury during the Civil War, Chase oversaw the financing of the Union war effort and introduced the national banking system. As Chief Justice, he presided over the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in 1868. Throughout his career, Chase harbored presidential ambitions that went unrealized, seeking nominations from both the Republican and Democratic parties on multiple occasions.[2]

Early Life

Salmon Portland Chase was born on January 13, 1808, in Cornish, New Hampshire, to Ithamar Chase and Janet Ralston Chase.[1] His father was a farmer and businessman who also held local political office. The Chase family had deep roots in New England; Salmon was a descendant of Aquila Chase, one of the early English settlers of the region. The family was of modest means, and Salmon's childhood was marked by both the rural character of the New Hampshire countryside and the intellectual aspirations that pervaded New England Puritan culture.[2]

Chase's father died in 1817, when Salmon was nine years old, leaving the family in financial difficulty. Following his father's death, Chase was sent to live with his uncle, Philander Chase, who was the Episcopal Bishop of Ohio and later became the founder and first president of Kenyon College. Under his uncle's care, Chase received a classical education and was introduced to the religious and moral values that would shape his lifelong opposition to slavery.[2] Life under Bishop Chase was rigorous and austere; the young Salmon was expected to contribute labor on his uncle's property while pursuing his studies. This period in Ohio exposed Chase to the Western frontier and to the social dynamics of a rapidly expanding region where questions of slavery and free labor were becoming increasingly contentious.

Chase's early years instilled in him a sense of moral purpose and ambition. Despite the hardships of his youth, he demonstrated academic aptitude and a determination to advance himself through education and professional achievement. These formative experiences—the loss of his father, his time under his uncle's stern tutelage, and his exposure to the social questions of the Ohio frontier—laid the groundwork for his later career as an anti-slavery lawyer and politician.[2]

Education

Chase attended Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where he graduated in 1826 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.[1] At Dartmouth, Chase distinguished himself as a capable student and graduated near the top of his class at the age of eighteen.[3] Following his graduation from Dartmouth, Chase moved to Washington, D.C., where he studied law under the mentorship of Attorney General William Wirt.[1] Wirt, one of the most prominent lawyers in the country and the longest-serving Attorney General in American history, provided Chase with a rigorous legal education and introduced him to the political circles of the nation's capital. Chase was admitted to the bar in 1829 and subsequently moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, to establish his legal practice.[2]

Career

Early Legal Career and Anti-Slavery Advocacy

After settling in Cincinnati in 1830, Chase quickly established himself as a capable lawyer. Cincinnati's location on the Ohio River, directly across from the slave state of Kentucky, made it a focal point of the tensions surrounding slavery and the fugitive slave question. Chase became deeply involved in the anti-slavery movement and gained national prominence by defending fugitive slaves and those who aided them in court. He took on such cases frequently, often without compensation, which earned him the nickname "Attorney General of Fugitive Slaves."[2]

Chase's legal arguments in fugitive slave cases were innovative and influential. He contended that slavery was a local institution that had no standing under federal law and that slaves who escaped to free states were entitled to their liberty. While his arguments did not always prevail in the courts of the time, they advanced the legal and intellectual framework of the anti-slavery movement and contributed to the growing sectional crisis over the institution of slavery.[4]

Political Career: From the Whig Party to the Republican Party

Chase's anti-slavery convictions led him into politics. Initially a member of the Whig Party, he left the party in 1841, dissatisfied with its reluctance to take a firm stance against slavery. He became the leader of Ohio's Liberty Party, a small but dedicated anti-slavery political organization.[2] In 1848, Chase played a central role in the formation of the Free Soil Party, a coalition of anti-slavery Democrats, Whigs, and Liberty Party members united in their opposition to the expansion of slavery into the western territories. Chase was instrumental in recruiting former President Martin Van Buren to serve as the Free Soil Party's presidential nominee in the 1848 election.[1]

In 1849, Chase was elected to the United States Senate by the Ohio state legislature, taking office on March 4, 1849, and serving until March 3, 1855.[1] In the Senate, Chase emerged as one of the most forceful voices against the expansion of slavery. He opposed the Compromise of 1850, which included a stricter Fugitive Slave Act, and vigorously opposed the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854, which opened the possibility of slavery in territories where it had previously been prohibited under the Missouri Compromise. Chase's opposition to the Kansas–Nebraska Act helped galvanize anti-slavery sentiment in the North and contributed directly to the collapse of the existing party system.[2]

In the aftermath of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, Chase was one of the principal figures in the establishment of the Republican Party in 1854. The new party united former Whigs, Free Soilers, and anti-slavery Democrats under a common banner opposing the extension of slavery into the territories. Chase's role in founding the Republican Party cemented his national stature as a leading anti-slavery politician.[2]

Governor of Ohio

After leaving the Senate, Chase was elected as the 23rd Governor of Ohio in 1855, taking office on January 14, 1856. He served two terms, leaving office on January 9, 1860.[1] As governor, Chase was the first Republican to hold the office in Ohio. He used the governorship to advance the anti-slavery cause, working to strengthen the state's personal liberty laws, which were designed to protect free Black residents and fugitive slaves from being seized under the federal Fugitive Slave Act. Chase's tenure as governor also saw improvements to the state's banking and financial systems, foreshadowing his later work as Secretary of the Treasury.[2]

During his time as governor, Chase harbored presidential ambitions. He sought the Republican nomination for president in the 1860 presidential election, positioning himself as a candidate who could unite the party's anti-slavery factions. However, at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, the nomination went to Abraham Lincoln of Illinois, who was considered more moderate and more electable.[2]

Secretary of the Treasury

Following Lincoln's victory in the 1860 presidential election, the president-elect invited Chase to serve as Secretary of the Treasury, a position Chase accepted. He took office on March 7, 1861, just weeks before the outbreak of the Civil War.[1] Chase briefly returned to the Senate in March 1861, holding the seat from March 4 to March 6 before resigning to join the Cabinet.[1]

As Secretary of the Treasury, Chase faced the enormous challenge of financing the Union war effort. The federal government's revenues were insufficient to fund the massive military expenditures required by the war, and Chase oversaw a dramatic expansion of federal financial power. He implemented the first federal income tax and authorized the issuance of paper currency—"greenbacks"—to help pay for the war.[5] Chase was also responsible for the establishment of the national banking system under the National Banking Acts of 1863 and 1864, which created a uniform national currency and a system of nationally chartered banks. These measures represented a fundamental transformation of American public finance and laid the foundation for the modern financial system.[2]

Chase is also credited with placing the motto "In God We Trust" on United States coinage, responding to increased religious sentiment during the Civil War and public calls for a recognition of God on the nation's currency.[5]

Despite his accomplishments, Chase's tenure at the Treasury was marked by friction with President Lincoln. Chase was more radical in his views on slavery and Reconstruction than Lincoln, and he maintained close ties with the Radical Republicans in Congress. Relations between the two men were further strained by Chase's persistent presidential ambitions. Chase tendered his resignation on multiple occasions, and Lincoln finally accepted it on June 30, 1864.[2]

Presidential Ambitions

Chase's desire for the presidency was a recurring theme throughout his political career. He sought the Republican nomination in 1860, losing to Lincoln. He again sought the nomination in 1864, even while serving in Lincoln's Cabinet, though he ultimately withdrew from the contest. After his appointment as Chief Justice, Chase pursued the Democratic presidential nomination in 1868, attempting to position himself as a moderate candidate who could bridge the divide between Radical Reconstruction and reconciliation with the South. He failed to secure the nomination, which went to Horatio Seymour. In 1872, Chase sought the Liberal Republican nomination, but again fell short, with the nomination going to Horace Greeley.[2] His repeated and unsuccessful bids for the presidency, even while serving on the Supreme Court, were a source of controversy and criticism, as many considered such political activity incompatible with the judicial office.[4]

Chief Justice of the United States

Following the death of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney in October 1864, President Lincoln nominated Chase to fill the vacancy. Lincoln's decision was motivated in part by a desire to appease the Radical Republicans, who supported Chase, and in part by his confidence that Chase would uphold the administration's wartime measures and support the legal framework of emancipation.[2] Chase was confirmed by the Senate on December 6, 1864, and served as the sixth Chief Justice of the United States from that date until his death on May 7, 1873.[6]

As Chief Justice, Chase presided over a period of significant constitutional change. The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution were ratified during his tenure, abolishing slavery, establishing equal protection under the law, and guaranteeing voting rights regardless of race. Chase's court was called upon to adjudicate numerous cases arising from the Civil War and Reconstruction, including questions about the constitutionality of military tribunals, loyalty oaths, and the Legal Tender Acts that Chase himself had championed as Secretary of the Treasury.[6]

One of the most notable episodes of Chase's tenure as Chief Justice was his role in the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in 1868. Under the Constitution, the Chief Justice presides over the Senate trial in cases of presidential impeachment. Chase sought to conduct the proceedings in a fair and judicial manner, insisting on procedural rules that angered Radical Republicans who wished for a swift conviction. Johnson was ultimately acquitted by a single vote, and Chase's conduct during the trial was generally regarded as impartial, though it drew criticism from those who believed he was too lenient toward the president.[4]

In the area of legal tender, Chase's court issued a notable ruling in Hepburn v. Griswold (1870), which declared the Legal Tender Act of 1862 unconstitutional as applied to debts contracted before its passage. This was a remarkable development, as Chase himself had been the architect of the Legal Tender Act during his tenure as Secretary of the Treasury. The decision was later effectively reversed in the Legal Tender Cases of 1871, after new appointments to the court shifted the majority.[6]

Chase also wrote the opinion in Texas v. White (1869), a landmark case in which the court held that the Constitution did not permit states to unilaterally secede from the Union, affirming the indestructibility of the Union while also acknowledging that the federal government had the authority to establish Reconstruction governments in the former Confederate states.[6]

Personal Life

Chase married three times, each marriage ending with the death of his wife. His first wife was Katherine Jane Garniss, whom he married in 1834; she died in 1835. He married Eliza Ann Smith in 1839; she died in 1845. His third wife was Sarah Bella Dunlop Ludlow, whom he married in 1846; she died in 1852.[2] The repeated losses took a heavy emotional toll on Chase. Of his six children, only two daughters survived to adulthood: Catherine "Kate" Chase and Janet "Nettie" Chase.[1]

Kate Chase Sprague became one of the most prominent social figures in Washington, D.C., during the Civil War era. She married William Sprague IV, a wealthy Rhode Island senator, and served as her father's political hostess and informal campaign manager during his various bids for the presidency.[2]

Chase was a devout Episcopalian whose religious convictions informed his opposition to slavery and his moral outlook. He was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.[2]

Chase died on May 7, 1873, in New York City, having suffered a stroke. He was 65 years old.[1]

Recognition

Chase's contributions to American law, finance, and politics have been recognized in numerous ways. His likeness appeared on the $10,000 bill, the highest denomination of United States currency ever printed for public circulation. Chase chose his own image for the $1 bill during his tenure as Secretary of the Treasury, though it was later replaced.[7]

Chase National Bank, which later became part of JPMorgan Chase & Co., was named in his honor, reflecting his lasting influence on American banking and finance.[2]

Several institutions bear his name, including the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University. In 2025, The Ohio State University's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society launched its inaugural academic courses and received significant funding, including a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and a $5 million grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, to support its mission of civic education.[8][9] The center also announced 10 new courses and a minor in Civics, Law and Leadership for its spring 2026 semester.[10]

Camp Chase, a Civil War military camp and prisoner-of-war facility in Columbus, Ohio, was named after Chase during his governorship. Counties in Kansas, Nebraska, and other states also bear his name, as do numerous streets and public buildings across the United States.[2]

Legacy

Salmon P. Chase occupies a distinctive place in American history as one of the few individuals to have held constitutional office in all three branches of the federal government—as a senator in the legislative branch, as Secretary of the Treasury in the executive branch, and as Chief Justice in the judicial branch—in addition to serving as governor of a major state.[1]

Chase's most enduring contributions lie in two areas: the anti-slavery movement and the transformation of American public finance. As a lawyer and politician, Chase was among the most prominent opponents of slavery in the decades before the Civil War. His legal arguments on behalf of fugitive slaves helped define the anti-slavery position in American jurisprudence, and his political activities—from the Liberty Party through the Free Soil Party to the founding of the Republican Party—were instrumental in building the political coalition that ultimately brought about the abolition of slavery.[2]

As Secretary of the Treasury, Chase's innovations in public finance—including the national banking system, the greenback currency, and the federal income tax—transformed the fiscal capacity of the federal government and established structures that endured long after the Civil War. His placement of "In God We Trust" on American coinage created a tradition that continues to the present day.[5]

As Chief Justice, Chase guided the Supreme Court through the turbulent Reconstruction era, presiding over landmark cases that defined the constitutional relationship between the federal government and the states in the aftermath of the Civil War. His opinion in Texas v. White remains a foundational statement on the nature of the Union and the limits of state sovereignty.[6]

Chase's legacy is not without complexity. His persistent presidential ambitions, pursued even from the bench of the Supreme Court, drew criticism from contemporaries and have invited scrutiny from historians. His reversal on the constitutionality of legal tender—having championed paper currency as Treasury Secretary and then voting to strike it down as Chief Justice—has been characterized as either a principled reassessment or an act of political inconsistency.[6]

Nevertheless, Chase is recognized as a figure of substantial historical importance whose career intersected with and shaped many of the defining events and institutions of nineteenth-century America. The continued use of his name for educational and civic institutions—most recently The Ohio State University's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society—reflects an ongoing recognition of his contributions to American civic life.[11]

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Chase, Salmon Portland (1808–1873)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000332.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 "Salmon P. Chase".Ohio History Central.http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Salmon_P._Chase.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Letter: Another Salmon P. Chase fact".Valley News.2025-12-11.https://vnews.com/2025/12/11/letter-another-salmon-p-chase-fact/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Salmon P. Chase".Impeach Andrew Johnson.http://www.impeach-andrewjohnson.com/11BiographiesKeyIndividuals/SalmonPChase.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "In God We Trust".United States Department of the Treasury.http://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "The Supreme Court Historical Society".Supreme Court Historical Society.https://web.archive.org/web/20050903032026/http://www.supremecourthistory.org/04_library/subs_volumes/04_c20_e.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Over Easy: The unsung Cornish-born hero on $10,000 bill".Valley News.2025-12-06.https://vnews.com/2025/12/06/salmon-chase-10000-bill/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Ohio State University's Salmon P. Chase Center announces $5M grant".WOSU Public Media.2026-02-02.https://www.wosu.org/politics-government/2026-02-02/ohio-state-universitys-salmon-p-chase-center-announces-5m-grant.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Salmon P. Chase Center Received $3 Million Grant From U.S. Department of Education".The Lantern.2025-10-14.https://www.thelantern.com/2025/10/salmon-p-chase-center-received-3-million-grant-from-u-s-department-of-education/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Salmon P. Chase Center to launch new minor and 10 new courses for Spring 2026 semester".The Lantern.2025-11.https://www.thelantern.com/2025/11/salmon-p-chase-center-to-launch-new-minor-and-10-new-courses-for-spring-2026-semester/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Salmon P. Chase Center launches first academic courses for Autumn 2025".The Lantern.2025-09-04.https://www.thelantern.com/2025/09/salmon-p-chase-center-launches-first-academic-courses-for-autumn-2025/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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