Thomas W. Palmer

Thomas Witherell Palmer ( born January 25, 1830 in Detroit, Michigan, † June 1, 1913 ) was an American businessman, politician of the Republican Party, United States Senator for Michigan and diplomat.

Biography

After attending public schools and the Thompson 's Academy in St. Clair, he studied at the University of Michigan. After traveling to Spain and South America, he devoted himself to the timber and agriculture, and was in 1873 a member of the evaluation committee ( Board of Estimates ) of Detroit. In 1879, he began his political career with election as a member of the Senate of Michigan and was on this until 1880.

As a candidate of the Republican Party, he was elected U.S. Senator for Michigan and held the second Senate seat ( Senator Class 2 ) of 4 March 1883 to 3 March 1889. During his tenure, he was initially 1885 to 1886 Chairman of the Senate Committee on Fisheries ( Committee on Fisheries ) and 1887-1888 of the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry ( Committee on Agriculture and Forestry ). He is also one of the founders in 1883 of the Detroit Museum of Art

After his election time he opted not to run again and was instead appointed by President Benjamin Harrison minister to Spain in 1889. After his return to the U.S. he was 1890-1893 President of the National Commission for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, carried out from May to October 1893 World's Fair.

He then retired to the Wayne County and settled there as a farmer.

Background literature

• Ziewacz, Lawrence E.: Thomas W. Palmer: A Michigan Senator's ' Masterly argument ' for Women 's Suffrage, Michigan Historical Review 26, Spring 2000, pp. 31-43