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Schuyler Colfax Trivia Quiz

A quiz on the 17th vice-president of the United States, Schuyler Colfax.

A multiple-choice quiz by AdmiralShark. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
AdmiralShark

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
211,749

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
195

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Colfax was born in New York State in 1823. In what city was he born? Hint

New York City

Rochester

Buffalo

Syracuse

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Question 2 of 10

2. In 1836, Colfax and family moved to what state? Hint

Ohio

Michigan

Illinois

Indiana

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Question 3 of 10

3. In what year did Colfax marry his childhood sweetheart, Evelyn Clark? Hint

1842

1848

1846

1844

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Question 4 of 10

4. Colfax first attended a national nomination convention when he travelled to Baltimore in 1848 to attend the Whig National Convention. Who did Colfax support at the convention? Hint

Zachary Taylor

Daniel Webster

Henry Clay

Winfield Scott

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Question 5 of 10

5. When was Colfax first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives? Hint

1852

1854

1856

1858

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Question 6 of 10

6. When did Colfax become Speaker of the House of Representatives? Hint

1863

1865

1861

1867

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Question 7 of 10

7. As speaker of the house, and since there was no vice-president, would Colfax have become president if the Senate had convicted President Andrew Johnson at his 1868 impeachment trial?

Yes

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was Colfax's primary opponent for the Republican vice-presidential nomination in 1868? Hint

Carl Schurz

Willard Smith

Oakes Ames

Benjamin Wade

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 1871, why did President Grant consider asking Colfax to resign as vice-president? Hint

Credit Mobilier scandal

to become secretary of state

Colfax's bad health

to become minister to England

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where did Colfax die? Hint

Mankato, Minnesota

Appleton, Wisconsin

Washington DC

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Colfax was born in New York State in 1823. In what city was he born?

Answer: New York City

Colfax was born on March 23, 1823 in New York City to Hannah Colfax. His father, also named Schuyler, had died six months earlier due to tuberculosis.

2. In 1836, Colfax and family moved to what state?

Answer: Indiana

Colfax's mother Hannah married George Mathews in 1834. In 1836, the family moved first to New Carlisle, Indiana and then, in 1841, to South Bend.

3. In what year did Colfax marry his childhood sweetheart, Evelyn Clark?

Answer: 1844

Schuyler and Evelyn were married October 10, 1844. Evelyn suffered from bad health and was, for the last years of her life, an semi-invalid. She would die July 10, 1863.

4. Colfax first attended a national nomination convention when he travelled to Baltimore in 1848 to attend the Whig National Convention. Who did Colfax support at the convention?

Answer: Winfield Scott

While Colfax grew up idolizing Henry Clay, he supported one of the heroes of the Mexican War, Winfield Scott, for the nomination. However, when another hero of the Mexican War, Zachary Taylor, won the nomination, Colfax actively campaigned for him.

5. When was Colfax first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives?

Answer: 1854

Colfax first ran for the House unsuccessfully, as a Whig, in 1851. After the Whig Party collapsed, Colfax then joined the Republican party and won as their candidate in 1854, representing a district in northern Indiana.

6. When did Colfax become Speaker of the House of Representatives?

Answer: 1863

Colfax was first elected by the Republican majority on December 5, 1863. He would serve three terms as speaker.

7. As speaker of the house, and since there was no vice-president, would Colfax have become president if the Senate had convicted President Andrew Johnson at his 1868 impeachment trial?

Answer: No

While today, the speaker of the house follows the vice-president in the line of presidential succession, that was not the case in 1868. In that year, the president pro-temp of the Senate was between the vice-president and speaker in the line of succession. If Johnson had been convicted, Benjamin Wade would have become president.

8. Who was Colfax's primary opponent for the Republican vice-presidential nomination in 1868?

Answer: Benjamin Wade

Ulysses Grant was a lock for the 1868 Republican nomination for president but Colfax went six ballots before he won the vice-presidential nomination.

9. In 1871, why did President Grant consider asking Colfax to resign as vice-president?

Answer: to become secretary of state

Secretary of State Hamilton Fish was considering leaving the State Department and Grant thought Colfax would make a good replacement. Colfax declined Grant's request and, along with Republican senators, convinced Fish to remain as secretary of state.

10. Where did Colfax die?

Answer: Mankato, Minnesota

Colfax served one term as vice-president, deciding too late to run for a second term and was defeated for the nomination by Henry Wilson. At the same time, the Credit Mobilier scandal, involving the accepting of bribes to grant political favors to the Union Pacific Railroad, broke. Colfax had accepted shares of Credit Mobilier and his reputation was tarnished.

After leaving the vice-presidency, Colfax went on several national speaking tours. On January 13, 1885, Colfax suffered a heart attack while at the train depot in Mankato, Minnesota and died there.

He was buried in South Bend, Indiana.

Source: Author AdmiralShark

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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