Schuyler Colfax, 23rd March 1823 – 13th January 1885.

His youth Schuyler Colfax was born in New York on the 23rd of March 1823. His father died shortly after his son's birth and in 1843 his mother was married again to George W. Matthews. Following his primary school education to the age of ten, he worked for three years in his stepfather's business. In 1836 the whole family moved to New Carlisle, Indiana, where Matthews quickly became postmaster. Colefax worked in the post office for his father as clerk. At the same time he was learning how to produce a magazine and assisted in producing a provincial newspaper. In 1839 Colfax started to study law, but he later gave this up. In 1841 Matthews was elected as Provinciaal Accountant, which resulted in his stepson becoming his replacement for eight years. St. Joseph Valley Register Together with a partner, he acquired, in September 1845, the South Bend Free Press, which he changed to "St. Joseph Valley Register". Under his leadership the "Register" become the most influential journal in that region of Indiana Bestuur en politiek Colfax was secretary of the Chicago Harbour and River Convention in July of 1847, And also of the Baltimore Whig Convention in 1848, which made Taylor a candidate for President. In the following years he filled many positions in politics and government and was eventually elected to Congress in 1854. Winning several re-elections he stayed in Congress until 1869. He introduced many reforms, most of them concerned with the postal services. Because the Republicans proposed him as Vice-President in 1868 he was able to take up the position of President of the Senate on the 4th of March 1869.

The I.O.O.F. Schuyler Colfax became a member of South Bend Lodge number 29 on the 18th of February 1846. He quickly became an encampment member and on the 10th of July 1849 he became a member of the Grand Lodge of his state. He was equally quickly sent by his state as representative to the Grand Lodge of the U.S.A. He stayed there until he was elected to Congress in 1855. He was particularly active and capable and because of these qualities was often chairmen of various committees. He is, perhaps best known for his work in the Lawmaking Committee, namely as the father of the Rebekah degree. Herewith, it became possible to start the Rebekah lodges of the I.O.O.F. He was interested in everything that happened in the I.O.O.F. and the new Rebekahs. Despite his political and government responsibilities, he attended almost every meeting of the Grand Lodge and the Grand Encampment. His Death During a business trip on the 13th of January 1885 in Mankota, in the state of Minnesota, he left his train. He walked into the railway station and sat down. Shortly afterwards, he bent over and had a heart attack, from which he died straight away. He was identified by the local Odd Fellows who eventually, with an honour escort of lodge members took him to his home. His death was commemorated, both in Congress and in Indiana. More Information. There is more information on the Internet about Schuyler Colfax in English. This document gives more information about this friendly and dynamic man.