George Helm Yeaman
George Helm Yeaman | |
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U.S. Ambassador to Denmark | |
In office 1865–1870 | |
Preceded by | Samuel J. Kirkwood |
Succeeded by | Christopher Columbus Andrews |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 2nd district | |
In office December 1, 1862 – March 4, 1865 | |
Preceded by | James S. Jackson |
Succeeded by | Burwell C. Ritter |
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
In office 1861 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Hardin County, Kentucky | November 1, 1829
Died | February 23, 1908 Jersey City, New Jersey | (aged 78)
Political party | Unionist |
George Helm Yeaman (November 1, 1829 – February 23, 1908) was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky.
Early life and education[]
Yeaman was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, the son of Lucretia Sneed (Helm) and Steven Minor Yeaman. Yeaman completed preparatory studies and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1852 and commenced practice in Owensboro, Kentucky. He served as judge of Daviess County in 1854, and served as member of the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1861.
Career[]
Yeaman was elected as a Unionist to the Thirty-seventh Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James S. Jackson. He was reelected to the Thirty-eighth Congress and served from December 1, 1862, to March 3, 1865. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1864 to the Thirty-ninth Congress. He provided a critical vote for passing the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution abolishing slavery through the US House of Representatives.[1][2]
Yeaman served as the United States Minister to Denmark from 1865 to 1870. He resigned in 1870 and settled in New York City. He then served as a lecturer on constitutional law at Columbia College. He served as president of the Medico-Legal Society of New York.
Yeaman died in Jersey City, New Jersey, on February 23, 1908. He was interred in Hillside Cemetery, Madison, New Jersey.[3]
In film[]
In the 2012 film, Lincoln, Yeaman was played by Michael Stuhlbarg.
References[]
- ^ Eblen, Tom (January 20, 2013). "In 'Lincoln,' forgotten Kentucky congressman plays a pivotal role". Lexington Herald-Leader. Kentucky.com. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
- ^ Craig, Berry (January 29, 2015). "How four Kentucky congressmen helped end slavery". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
- ^ "Find A Grave: George Helm Yeaman". Find A Grave. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- United States Congress. "George Helm Yeaman (id: Y000015)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
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This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.
- 1829 births
- 1908 deaths
- People from Hardin County, Kentucky
- Kentucky Unionists
- Unionist Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Kentucky
- Ambassadors of the United States to Denmark
- 19th-century American diplomats
- LaRue family
- 19th-century American politicians