1846-47
HISTORY
Solomon George Haven was born in Guilford, in Chenango
County, New York on November 27, 1810. At 11 years of age
he could out spell any pupil his age. "His early years
were passed as were those of nearly all the sons of pioneers
at that period; hard work on the farm when old enough to
be of service, with a few months in school during the winters
filled out the years. This life continued until Haven was
17 years old." He then left his parents home and eventually
began studying medicine. He soon abandoned that idea.
In 1828 he taught school at Mount Upton, and at the
end of the year went to Geneseo, New York, and began the
study of law with Governor John Young.
For the following two years he taught school in East
Guilford, New York, while continuing his law studies. In
1830 he was appointed deputy clerk of Livingston County.
In 1834 he was appointed, by Governor Clinton, commissioner
of deeds for Livingston County.
On January 10, 1835 Haven moved to Buffalo
and finished his studies in the law offices of Fillmore &
Hall, the partnership of Millard Fillmore
and Nathan K. Hall. In May 1835 he was admitted to practice
in the Court of Common Pleas.
Afterwards, Haven opened his own office, and in 1836
he was admitted as attorney and proctor in the U.S. District
Court. Finally, on January 9, 1837, Haven became a partner
in the Fillmore & Hall firm, now being Fillmore, Hall
& Haven. In May 1839 Nathan Hall retired and the firm
continued as Fillmore & Haven until December 1847, when
Millard Fillmore
became state comptroller.
Haven was very successful in his profession and gained
prominence early. He was at the front of the Bar of Western
New York, as a "nisi prius" lawyer.
In 1843 Haven was appointed district attorney of
Erie County.
On February 19, 1846, the Democratic delegations
met to choose their candidates for the coming elections.
Isaac Sherman
was unanimously nominated as candidate for mayor. They felt
they had picked candidates the whole Democratic party
could respond to.
In a letter printed in the Buffalo
Courier on February 19, 1846: "As Mr. Haven has been nominated
for Mayor, it now only remains to be seen whether the people
of this city will consent to bestow all their official patronage
upon that favored family."
LIFE AS A MAYOR
On March 3,
1846 the Whigs and Locofoco
's were early to "cast their straight ballots for their
chosen candidate. The Buffalo
Daily Courier's editorial on March 4, 1846 had the following
to say: "Buffalo
is in the hands of the Philistines. The Whig
Mayor is elected by a majority of 321 votes, 2,025 to 1,704.
Six Whigs and four Democratic Aldermen. The People have
spoken and we submit." Such was the outcome of the
mayoral campaign as Solomon G. Haven
defeated the Locofoco
candidate Isaac Sherman
"Although a Whig
..he was ever a courteous and dignified opponent."
The Buffalo
Express had this to say: "We are most happy to have it
in our power to say to our friends that Buffalo
has returned to her first love, and holds rank among her sister
Whig
cities in the state...The election was conducted with the utmost
regard to good order. Mayor Masten
took early measures to maintain the public peace by increasing
the constabulary force of the city."
On March 10, 1846 the last meeting of the outgoing
Council was held. A committee was appointed to "conduct
Mayor-elect Haven to the chair." He was conducted to
the chair and took the oath of office. Out-going Mayor Masten
introduced newly appointed Mayor Haven
who addressed the council:
"Gentlemen of the Common Council
:
"The charter provides that it shall be the duty
of the mayor to recommend to the consideration of the council
such measures as he shall deem necessary. At this time my
experience in the business of the council is so limited
that I shall not recommend any particular measure, and the
council being composed of men of practical abilities, it
is perhaps unnecessary to do so.
"When I have become more familiar with the business
of the city, and shall have learned more particularly the
workings of its machinery, I shall be ready at any time
to recommend any measure that may seem necessary for the
public good."
Haven told the council that it was important to select
a competent "corps. of city officers." In the
afternoon session they were all chosen. At this time, the
mayor stated that he had received a "communication
from Hon. Nathan K. Hall" and a copy of the bill to
revise the city charter, as drawn up by the previous council.
A committee was created to review the bill and report at
the next council meeting.
The amendments to the charter included giving the
mayor veto power, which the Whigs
thought was a "sinister movement."
Additionally, the Buffalo
Commercial Advertiser was designated as the newspaper of the
city by the new council.
In 1846 the office of recorder in the recorder court
was made elective by the people.
Haven "actively sought funds to build a post
office, a customhouse, and other public buildings."
Additionally, St. John's Episcopal Church on Washington
and Swan Streets was erected during his term.
On March 9, 1847 Haven's term as mayor ended. The
council offered it's thanks to him for the "zeal, ability,
and fidelity which he had exhibited in the discharge of
his duties as Mayor, and especially for the urbane, courteous,
and highly satisfactory manner in which he had presided
in the Council."
Haven addressed the council, thanking them for their
"businesslike action as an official body, during the
past year."
PERSONAL LIFE
On May 2, 1838 Haven married Harriett N. Scott, daughter
of Dr. W. K. Scott. Together they had four daughters. Their
home was located at 32 West Genesee Street, between the
home of Millard Fillmore
and Franklin Street.
James Murdock Smith became Haven's partner from 1848
until 1857 when Smith retired.
In 1850 Vice-President Millard Fillmore
became President upon the death of President Zachary Taylor.
At this time his former partner Solomon Haven
was brought forth as a candidate for the 32nd Congress and won
the election in November. The congressional district included
all of Erie County. At the same time, Nathan K. Hall was
appointed U.S. Postmaster by Fillmore, bringing the entire
firm of Fillmore, Hall & Haven to Washington, simultaneously.
In 1852, Fillmore ran for re-election, but the Whig
party was overwhelmingly defeated in nearly every race it ran.
However, conservative Whig
Haven won a second term in Congress. In 1854 Haven won a third and final term in Congress.
He ran again in 1856 in a three way race between
Ex-Mayor Elbridge Spaulding
, and Israel T. Hatch
He lost the race to Hatch.
Mr. Haven's career in Congress was during an important
time in this country, as the question of slavery split the
political parties and the country. His congressional record
was "free from all taint of corruption
or jobbery. He had no taste for dabbling in the spoils of the
office and gave his attention to such legislative duties
as were best calculated to advance the interests of his
constituents as well as the people generally."
He once stated "My election to Congress was
nothing to be compared to my competition for a prize offered
to the best reader of 'The Death of Altimont.'" The
evening of the competition 'Sol,' as he was known, won the
prize. "It stimulated in me, not only ambition, but
a confidence in my ability to succeed in the world, which
never deserted me."
Returning to Buffalo
, he continued his practice, this time with William Dorsheimer,
who left in 1861 to pursue other interests. Haven then continued
without a partner until his death.
"In 1860, Hon. S. G. Haven again allowed himself
to be an Anti-Republican candidate for Congress at which
time he was defeated."
Haven's wife, Harriett was an intimate friend of
Hon. and Mrs. Fillmore and wrote of her personal recollections,
which can be found in "The Millard Fillmore
Papers," published by the Buffalo
Historical Society
Apparently, in 1859 Haven first suffered from the
illness which would later kill him. He became forgetful,
and friends urged him to give up his profession. Several
days before his death he turned over a case to a friend,
since "he was very sick and had not slept for three
nights."
On December 24, 1861 Haven suddenly died, leaving
many mourning. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery
Solomon G. Haven
was a strong man who died at a young age. He was "bottled
energy with the cork left out. It was in his look, his voice,
his motions."
"In these days of political dishonesty, he has
stood above suspicion. In his private life, he was worthy
of all praise. He had never had an angry altercation, never
made a personal enemy. His absence will be greatly felt.
The contest with him is now over."
