Walbridge Abner FIELD, Congress, MA (1833-1899)

FIELD Walbridge Abner , a Representative from Massachusetts; born in North Springfield, Windsor County, Vt., April 26, 1833; was graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., in 1855; tutor at Dartmouth College in 1856, 1857, and 1859; studied law in Boston in 1858 and at the Harvard Law School in 1859; was admitted to the bar in 1860 and commenced practice in Boston, Mass.; member of the school committee of Boston in 1863 and 1864; served in the common council 1865-1867; appointed assistant attorney of the United States in 1865, serving in this capacity until April 1869, when he was appointed Assistant Attorney General of the United States, holding this office until August 1870, when he resigned; resumed the practice of law in Boston; presented credentials as a Member-elect to the Forty-fifth Congress and served from March 4, 1877, to March 28, 1878, when he was succeeded by Benjamin Dean, who contested his election; elected as a Republican to the Forty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1879-March 3, 1881); declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1880; appointed by Governor Long to the bench of the supreme judicial court on February 21, 1881; promoted to the position of chief justice on September 4, 1890, and served until his death in Boston, July 15, 1899; interment in Forest Hills Cemetery, West Roxbury, Mass.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present