George P. Fisher

George Purnell Fisher (October 13, 1817 – February 10, 1899) was Attorney General of Delaware, Secretary of State of Delaware, a United States representative from Delaware and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (now the United States District Court for the District of Columbia).

Education and career

Born on October 13, 1817, in Milford, Sussex County, Delaware, Fisher attended the public schools of Kent County, Delaware, Mount St. Mary's College (now Mount St. Mary's University) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, then graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in July 1838.

Federal judicial service Fisher was nominated by President Abraham Lincoln on March 10, 1863, to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (now the United States District Court for the District of Columbia) to a new Associate Justice seat authorized by 12 Stat. 762.

Later career Following his resignation from the federal bench, Fisher served as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia from 1870 to 1875. After leaving this position (according to his biography by Charles B. Lore), he had "no intention of again entering public life." However, he was appointed by President Benjamin Harrison on May 31, 1889, to serve as first auditor for the United States Department of the Treasury until March 23, 1893.

Later years and death Fisher "then returned to the home of his childhood, lived quietly in his extensive library, and devoted the last years of his life to reading and literary pursuits." He died after a short illness on February 10, 1899, in Washington, D.C. He was interred in Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C., and re-interred in the Methodist Cemetery in Dover.

Election results + Election resultsYearOfficeSubjectPartyvotes%OpponentPartyvotes%1860U.S. Representative George P. Fisher Republican 7,732 48% Benjamin T. Biggs Democratic 7,485 47%1862U.S. Representative George P. Fisher Republican 8,014 50% William Temple Democratic 8,051 50%