History of Millstone, (Somerset County) New Jersey United States of America

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Frederick Theodore Frelinghuysen, statesman, was born in Millstone, N.J., Aug. 4, 1817; son of Frederick Frelinghuysen, lawyer; grandson of Gen. Frederick, and great-grandson of the Rev. John Frelinghuysen. He was adopted by his uncle Theodore, second son of Gen. Frederick, upon the death of his father in 1820, and was graduated at Rutgers college, A.B., 1836, A.M., 1839. After studying law under his uncle Theodore at Newark, N.J., he was admitted to the bar in 1839, succeeding to his uncle's practice in 1840. He was city attorney of Newark, 1849; a member of the city council in 1850, and became attorney for the New Jersey Central railroad and for the Morris canal and banking company. In 1861 he was appointed by Governor Olden attorney-general of New Jersey and was reappointed in 1866 by Governor Ward. He was a delegate from his state to the peace convention of Feb. 4, 1861, at Washington. In 1866 he was appointed by Governor Ward to the vacant seat in the U.S. senate caused by the death of Senator Wright, and in the winter of 1867 was elected by the state legislature to complete the term expiring March 4, 1869. He failed of re election and President Grant appointed him U.S. minister to Great Britain, his confirmation being secured in the senate without a reference to the committee, but he declined the mission. He was elected to the U.S. senate July 25, 1871, for a full term. He voted for the conviction of President Johnson in the impeachment trial; introduced a bill to restore specie payment; supported a tariff for protection; advocated the civil rights bill, and secured the passage of the anti-polygamy bill and the Japanese indemnity fund act. He was a member of the judiciary committee; of the committee on foreign relations, of which he was acting chairman during the session of the joint high commission on the Alabama claims, and of the committees on naval affairs, claims and railroads. In 1877 he was a member of the joint committee of the senate and house which created the electoral commission, and was appointed a member of the commission. He was defeated by the vote of the Democratic majority in the election for senator in 1877 and was succeeded, March 4, 1877, by John R. McPherson. President Arthur on Dec. 12, 1881, appointed him secretary of state in his cabinet, as successor to James G. Blaine, resigned, and he held the position till the close of the term of the administration, March 4, 1885, when he retired to his home in Newark, N.J., suffering from an illness from which he never recovered. He was president of the American Bible society and a trustee of Rutgers college, 1851-85. He received the honorary degree of LL.D. from the College of New Jersey in 1864. He died in Newark, N.J., May 20, 1885.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Millstone, (Somerset County) New Jersey

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