The New Student's Reference Work/Wade, Benjamin Franklin

Wade, Benjamin Franklin, an American statesman, was born at Springfield, Mass., Oct. 27, 1800.  He studied law in Ohio, and was three times elected state senator, becoming United States senator in 1851, 1857 and 1863.  He was known as a strong antislavery man, being one of six senators who voted to repeal the fugitive-slave law (q. v.).  He also opposed all the measures proposed as compromises between the north and the south, and was influential in getting the homestead bill through Congress.  After the death of President Lincoln, Wade was acting vice-president of the United States.  He died at Jefferson, O., March 2, 1878.