George P. Fisher

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George Purnell Fisher

George Purnell Fisher (October 13, 1817 – February 10, 1899) was a United States Representative from Delaware. Born in Milford, he attended the public schools of Kent County and Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He was graduated from Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pennsylvania) in 1838. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1841 and commenced practice in Dover. He was a member of the Delaware House of Representatives in 1843 and 1844, secretary of state in 1846, and confidential clerk to Secretary Clayton in the U.S. Department of State at Washington in 1849 serving with William Hunter.

Fisher was appointed by President Taylor a commissioner to adjudicate claims against Brazil, and served from 1850 to 1852. He was attorney general of Delaware from 1857-1860, and was elected as a Unionist to the Thirty-seventh Congress, serving from March 4, 1861 to March 4, 1863. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1862 to the Thirty-eighth Congress, and was appointed by President Lincoln, on March 11, 1863, a judge of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, which position he resigned when appointed district attorney for the District of Columbia, serving until 1875. He returned to Dover and was appointed by President Harrison on May 31, 1889 First Auditor of the Treasury Department and served until March 23, 1893. He died in Washington, D.C.; initial interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery, and reinterment was in the Methodist Cemetery, Dover.