The Biographical Dictionary of America/Akerman, Amos Tappan

AKERMAN, Amos Tappan, statesman, was born at Keene, N. H., Jan. 6, 1823. He was graduated at Dartmouth in 1842, admitted to the bar in 1844, and practised in New Hampshire until 1850, when he removed to Georgia. Here he continued the practice of law, and on the agitation of the subject of secession in 1859-'60, he stubbornly opposed the measure. When, however, the state actually passed the ordnance of secession, he entered the state militia and finally the Confederate army, and was appointed quartermaster, serving through the war. In 1866, upon the restoration of civil power in Georgia, he was made district-attorney. In 1870 President Grant appointed him attorney-general in his cabinet, to succeed Ebenezer R. Hoar. He served until Dec. 14, 1871, when he returned to Georgia, and in 1873 was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States senate. He died at Cartersville, Ga., Dec. 21, 1880.