Charles J. Folger

Charles James Folger (April 16, 1818 – September 4, 1884) was an American lawyer and politician. He was U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1881 until his death.

Early life

Folger was born on the island of Nantucket in 1818. When he was 12 years old, his family moved to Geneva, New York. He attended Hobart College and graduated with honors in 1836. After his graduation, he studied law with Mark H. Sibley and Alvah Worden in Canandaigua, N.Y. and was admitted to the bar three years later in 1839. He began his practice in Lyons, N.Y., but returned to Geneva in 1840, where he remained for the rest of his life. On June 18, 1844, he married Susan Rebecca Worth.

Public Life

In 1844, Folger was appointed to the bench of the Ontario County Court of Common Pleas, serving for about a year.

As a Republican, he was a member of the New York State Senate (26th D.) from 1862 to 1869, sitting in the 85th, 86th, 87th, 88th, 89th, 90th, 91st and 92nd New York State Legislatures. During his term he served as President pro tempore for four years and as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Folger served as a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1867–68, and as a delegate to the 1868 Republican National Convention.