Benjamin Carver
Benjamin F. Carver was an American banker, businessman, and politician. He was involved in numerous business ventures, including banks, in his native state of New York before departing for Chicago, Illinois in the late-1850s, where he continued to work in banking and amassed a sizable fortune. He served in the New York General Assembly from 1839 to 1840, being elected in 1838 as a Democrat to a seat representing Herkimer County. He was the Democratic nominee for mayor of Chicago in the city's 1857 mayoral election, losing to Republican nominee John Wentworth.
Early life
Carver was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1796, the son of Capt. Joseph Carver and Abigail Carver. Carver grew up in Winfield, New York. He was the brother of Hartwell Carver.Business career
Carver worked as a postmaster, merchant, and distillery owner in East Winfield, New York, in partnership with. David R. Carrier. He subsequently moved to the village of Mohawk. By 1851, he was employed as the president of the Mohawk Valley Bank and had incorporated the Herkimer County Bank. He worked as a director of the Mohawk Valley Railroad.By 1856, Carver had moved to Brooklyn. However, soon after he left the state of New York for the state of Illinois, moving to Chicago. He lived in Chicago for the remainder of his life. After moving to Illinois, he worked as a director of the Illinois National Bank, and was a major stockholder and the director of the Marine Bank of Chicago. Carver amassed a sizable fortune during his years in Chicago.
Political career
From 1839 to 1840, Carver was a member of the New York State Assembly from Herkimer County. Elected in 1838 as a Democrat, he served in the 62nd New York State Legislature.Carver was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee in the 1857 Chicago mayoral election, losing to Republican nominee John Wentworth. The election occurred several years before the American Civil War, with the debate over slavery in the United States being prominent both nationally and in the mayoral election. Carver campaigned on pro-slavery positions, while Wentworth was a well-established proponent of abolitionist policies. Former congressman Abraham Lincoln came to Chicago to campaign in support of Wentworth's candidacy against Carver.
Personal life
Carver married Nancy Lathrop Fish. Together they had six children:- Louisa Doolittle, 1827–1890
- Flora Ann Remington, 1831–1888
- Benjamin Franklin Carver, 1832–1893
- Victoria Thompson, 1842–1912
- Mary Theresa Leiter, 1844–1913
- Watt Samuel Carver, born circa 1846