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'''Henry Laurens Dawes, Sr.''' (October 30, 1816 – February 5, 1903) was an [[attorney]] and Republican senator from [[Massachusetts]] who served from 1875 to 1893. He was previously a congressman for nearly two decades, and served in the state legislature prior to that.
==Background==
Dawes was born near Cummington, Massachusetts<ref name=encyclopedia.combio>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/us-history-biographies/henry-laurens-dawes Henry Laurens Dawes]. ''Encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> to Mitchell Dawes and the former Mercy Burgess. After enrolling in public schools and receiving additional learning in preparatory schools, Dawes attended [[Yale College]], where he graduated in 1839. After admission to the bar three years later, he commenced practice.
==Political career==
===U.S. House of Representatives===
Dawes ran for U.S. House in 1856, facing Democrat Josiah D. Weston and [[Know Nothing]] incumbent Mark Trafton in the general election. He emerged victorious garnering a plurality of 44% of the vote, while his opponents each polled around 28%.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=727758 MA District 11 Race - Nov 04, 1856]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> He continued to be re-elected eight times, solidifying double-digit victory margins except for the 1870 midterms.<ref name=ourcampaignsprofile>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=173237 Candidate - Henry Laurens Dawes]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref>
In the House, Dawes would over time solidify seniority powers, which he utilized to spearhead anti-slavery bills.<ref name=encyclopedia.combio/> He also strongly backed protective [[tariff]]s to bolster the domestic textile industry, and pushed for legislation that provided weather reports.<ref name=encyclopedia.combio/>
===U.S. Senate===
In the 1874 midterm elections, Dawes successfully ran for U.S. Senate,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=412790 MA US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1874]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> where he was re-elected twice.<ref name=ourcampaignsprofile/>
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs,<ref name=encyclopedia.combio/> he is known for introducing the Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 which permitted the federal government to seize tribal lands and compel Native Americans to assimilate into American society.<ref>[https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/dawes-act.htm The Dawes Act]. ''National Park Service''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> The bill was signed into law by President [[Grover Cleveland]].
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dawes, Henry}}
[[Category:Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:Former United States Senators]]
[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]
==Background==
Dawes was born near Cummington, Massachusetts<ref name=encyclopedia.combio>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/us-history-biographies/henry-laurens-dawes Henry Laurens Dawes]. ''Encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> to Mitchell Dawes and the former Mercy Burgess. After enrolling in public schools and receiving additional learning in preparatory schools, Dawes attended [[Yale College]], where he graduated in 1839. After admission to the bar three years later, he commenced practice.
==Political career==
===U.S. House of Representatives===
Dawes ran for U.S. House in 1856, facing Democrat Josiah D. Weston and [[Know Nothing]] incumbent Mark Trafton in the general election. He emerged victorious garnering a plurality of 44% of the vote, while his opponents each polled around 28%.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=727758 MA District 11 Race - Nov 04, 1856]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> He continued to be re-elected eight times, solidifying double-digit victory margins except for the 1870 midterms.<ref name=ourcampaignsprofile>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=173237 Candidate - Henry Laurens Dawes]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref>
In the House, Dawes would over time solidify seniority powers, which he utilized to spearhead anti-slavery bills.<ref name=encyclopedia.combio/> He also strongly backed protective [[tariff]]s to bolster the domestic textile industry, and pushed for legislation that provided weather reports.<ref name=encyclopedia.combio/>
===U.S. Senate===
In the 1874 midterm elections, Dawes successfully ran for U.S. Senate,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=412790 MA US Senate Race - Nov 03, 1874]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> where he was re-elected twice.<ref name=ourcampaignsprofile/>
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs,<ref name=encyclopedia.combio/> he is known for introducing the Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 which permitted the federal government to seize tribal lands and compel Native Americans to assimilate into American society.<ref>[https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/dawes-act.htm The Dawes Act]. ''National Park Service''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> The bill was signed into law by President [[Grover Cleveland]].
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dawes, Henry}}
[[Category:Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:Former United States Senators]]
[[Category:Former United States Representatives]]