Isaac P. Christiancy | |
|---|---|
 Christiancy, 1865–1880 | |
| United States Senator fromMichigan | |
| In office March 4, 1875 – February 10, 1879 | |
| Preceded by | Zachariah Chandler |
| Succeeded by | Zachariah Chandler |
| Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court | |
| In office January 1, 1858 – February 27, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin F. H. Witherell |
| Succeeded by | Isaac Marston |
| Member of theMichigan Senate | |
| In office 1850-1852 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Isaac Peckham Christiancy (1812-03-12)March 12, 1812 |
| Died | September 8, 1890(1890-09-08) (aged 78) |
| Party | Democratic,Free Soil,Republican |
| Spouse | Elizabeth E. McClosky |
| Profession | Politician, lawyer, judge, teacher |
Isaac Peckham Christiancy (March 12, 1812 – September 8, 1890) was chief justice of theMichigan State Supreme Court andU.S. Senator from the state ofMichigan.
Christiancy was born nearJohnstown, New York in what is nowBleecker, New York to parents of humble means. His grandfather, Isaac Peckham, was one of the first pioneers inCaroga, New York, settling in the area as early as 1783. Christiancy attended the common schools and the Johnstown and Ovid Academies. After his father died when he was 13, he also had to support his family. He taught school and studied law. In 1836, Christiancy was admitted to thebar after moving toMonroe, Michigan, where he obtained a clerkship in a Federal land office. He married Elizabeth E. McClosky on November 16, 1839.
He was prosecuting attorney forMonroe County, Michigan from 1841 to 1846. In 1848 he was a delegate to theFree Soil Party convention inBuffalo, New York, having left theDemocratic Party over the question of slavery.
He was a member of theMichigan State Senate from 1850 to 1852 and an unsuccessful Free Soil Party candidate for governor in 1852. He helped to organize theRepublican Party inJackson, Michigan in 1854. He purchased theMonroe Commercial in 1857 and became its editor. He was also an unsuccessful candidate for the U.S. Senate in that year.
Pursuant to the new state constitution adopted in 1850, the Michigan Legislature created a permanent State Supreme Court in 1857. Christiancy was elected as an associate judge of this first permanentMichigan Supreme Court. He was reelected twice and served until February 27, 1875, when he resigned to take the office of U.S. Senator. He served as chief justice from 1872 to 1874. Christiancy is known as one of the "Big Four" of Michigan judicial history for his service while on the court.
He was elected as aRepublican to the U.S. Senate in 1874, defeating the incumbentRadical RepublicanZachariah Chandler, and served in the44th and45th Congresses from March 4, 1875, to February 10, 1879, when he resigned due to ill health. Chandler was elected to retake the seat twelve days later.
At age 65 Christiancy married a woman 45 years younger than him. SenatorThomas W. Ferry acted as best man. The marriage lasted only a short time before they divorced.[1]
He served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary toPeru from 1879 to 1881, after which he returned toLansing, Michigan to resume the practice of law. During his stay in Peru, Christiancy warned the United States about the rising British influence that was being brought about by Chile during theWar of the Pacific.[2] Christiancy also wrote that Peru should be annexed for ten years and then admitted in the Union to provide the United States with access to the rich markets of South America.[3]
He died in Lansing and is interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in Monroe.
His son,James Isaac Christiancy (1844-December 18, 1899), wasFirst Lieutenant,United States Army. He was awarded theMedal of Honor during theAmerican Civil War while serving in Company D, 9th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry. On May 28, 1864, while acting as aide, he voluntarily led a part of the line into the fight, and was twice wounded. The Medal was actually issued on October 10, 1892. He is buried in theWoodland Cemetery inMonroe, Michigan.
TheThomas M. Cooley Law School chapter ofPhi Alpha Delta law fraternity is named for him.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| First | Free Soil nominee forGovernor of Michigan 1852 | Party dissolved |
| U.S. Senate | ||
| Preceded by | U.S. senator (Class 1) from Michigan March 4, 1875 – February 10, 1879 Served alongside:Thomas W. Ferry | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | United States Minister to Peru February 11, 1879 – August 2, 1881 | Succeeded by |
| Class 1 |  | |
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| Class 2 | ||
| Chargé d'Affaires | |
|---|---|
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | |
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
