Henry Dawes

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 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%. He continued to be re-elected eight times, solidifying double-digit victory margins except for the 1870 midterms.

In the House, Dawes would over time solidify seniority powers, which he utilized to spearhead anti-slavery bills. He also strongly backed protective tariffs to bolster the domestic textile industry, and pushed for legislation that provided weather reports.

U.S. Senate

In the 1874 midterm elections, Dawes successfully ran for U.S. Senate, where he was re-elected twice.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, 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. The bill was signed into law by President Grover Cleveland.