Research topic: Gideon Welles

Gideon Welles , 1802-78, American statesman, b. Glastonbury, Conn. He was (1826-36) editor and part owner of the Hartford Times, one of the first New England papers to support Andrew Jackson. An organizer of the Jacksonian forces in Connecticut, Welles served in the state legislature (1827-35). He was three times elected state comptroller of public accounts and was postmaster of Hartford. He was also chief of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing for the U.S. navy (1846-49). Leaving the Democratic party on the slavery issue, he helped found (1856) the Hartford Evening Press, a Republican... Read more