Pg. XI

Hon. Samuel Finley Vinton was born at South Hadley, September 25, 1792. In 1814 he graduated at Williams’ College, and commenced studying law with hon. Stephen T. Hosmer, of Connecticut. He was admitted to the bar in 1816, and soon proceeded to the young and growing State of Ohio, establishing himself in the practice of law at Gallipolis, where, at the end of a year, he was enjoying an extensive business. He soon became well and favorably known as a man of unusual ability and integrity, and without solicitation or effort of his own, became nominated by the Whig party for Congress, in the autumn of 1822, and elected by a glittering majority. He remained member of Congress until 1837, when he voluntarily withdrew from public life. During this long period of fourteen years’ service, several important measures were originated and carried through by him, and he was looked upon as a leader of his party in the House.

After a retirement of six years, he was again, in 1843, chosen a member of Congress, where he remained until 1851, when he again voluntarily withdres from active public life. Mr. Vinton was Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, where he rendered his country most excellent service. He proved himself a patriot in the broadest sense – caring far more that the many measures which he originated and perfected should be of value to the country that that his own name should be known or mentioned in their connection.

In September, 1846, the venerable ex-President, John Quincy Adams, said of Hon. S. F. Vinton, that he "knew him well; he was a man of decided ability; very few, if any, in Congress, were his superiors; when he spoke, it was too good effect; he was a man – not only of talents, but of integrity."

The Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, in a speech in the House of Representatives, March 3, 1880, thus speaks of him: "Samuel F. Vinton, of Ohio, whose acquaintance with the rules, great prudence and sound judgment, rendered him, perhaps, the most prominent leader on the Whig side."

After retirement from public life, Mr. Vinton resided continually (with the exception of one year, when he was chosen the first President of the Clevland & Toledo Railroad), in Washington, where he died May 11, 1862, after a few days’ illness.

In June, 1824, Mr. Vinton married Romaine Madeleine Bureau, who died the last of May, 1831. They had two children: John who died when very young, and Madeleine Sarah, who still survives, the widow of the late Admiral Dahlgren. Mr. Vinton’s last request was that his mains might rest beside those of his beloved wife, in Gallipolis cemetery, where they now lie, and on the lot is a granite monument, placed there by his fond daughter, Mrs. Dahlgren, bearing the inscription, "Bureau—Vinton."