Friday, August 28, 2009

A letter from a member of Congress

This short letter on lined tablet paper has an embossed Congressional seal in the top left corner that reads: First Class (above a image of a Congressional Building) Congress. We believe it was some sort of letter of introduction of a Mr. Dunn to Emma Schussler Igel, my grandmother's grandmother.  It was written by Michael Hahn, whose biography follows.  From other letters it seems that Mr. Hahn was Emma's uncle.




Washington, March 2, 1863.

Miss Emma Schussler; Madison

Dear Emma;
I shall leave here in about four days for New York, where I will spend a few days previous to my departure for the West, to see all my folks. I will stop at Madison about a day or so on my way to St. Louis or on my return from St. Louis.
I have enjoyed the acquaintance and friendship of Mr. Dunn of Madison in the House of Representatives here and have found him an excellent and talented man. I like him very much.

Yours truly, etc.

Michael Hahn


Information on the possible identity of Michael Hahn:

Michael Hahn
(1830-1885)
HAHN, Michael, a Representative from Louisiana; born in Bavaria,
Germany, November 24, 1830; immigrated to the United States with his parents, who settled in New York City; moved to New Orleans, La., about 1840; attended the graded and high schools, and was graduated from the law department of the University of Louisiana in 1850; was admitted to the bar in 1851 and commenced practice in New Orleans, La.; elected as a Unionist to the Thirty-seventh Congress and served from December 3, 1862, to March 3, 1863; returned to New Orleans and engaged in newspaper work; appointed prize commissioner of New Orleans; elected Governor of Louisiana on February 22, 1864, and served until March 4, 1865, when he resigned; manager and editor of the New Orleans Daily Republican 1867-1871; founded the village of Hahnville; member of the State house of representatives 1872-1876 and served as speaker in 1875; appointed State register of voters on August 15, 1876; superintendent of the United States Mint at New Orleans in 1878; district judge of the twenty-sixth district from 1879 until March 3, 1885, when he resigned; elected as a Republican to the Forty-ninth Congress and served from March 4, 1885, until his death in Washington, D.C., March 15, 1886; interment in Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, La.

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