William Seward
Union College graduate
Alaska was dubbed “Seward’s Icebox” (and also Johnson’s Polar Bear Garden, which is something I just learned and love so much) when Seward agreed to buy it from Russia
On the short list to be Zachary Taylor’s vice president; turned it down because thus far only Jefferson made it from VP to POTUS.
(Let’s just pause to reflect how different things might have been if Seward took over after Taylor died… instead of that doughface Millard Fillmore…)Staunch abolitionist
Lincoln’s Secretary of State
The plan was for him to be assassinated along with President Lincoln and Vice President Andrew Johnson. Luckily for Seward, he was severely hurt in a carriage accident that left his shoulder dislocated and (more importantly!) his jaw broken. The jaw brace saved his jugular during Lewis Powell’s attempt to kill him.
One of his son’s was beaten with a pistol
His daughter was hit
Three others were left bleeding as well
All six lived
