Arnold Naudain

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Dr. Arnold S. Naudain
Arnold Naudain

In office
January 7, 1830 – June 16, 1836
Preceded by Louis McLane
Succeeded by Richard H. Bayard

Born January 6, 1790 (1790-01-06)
Dover, Delaware
Died January 4, 1872 (aged 81)
Odessa, Delaware
Political party Whig
Residence Odessa, Delaware
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Alma mater College of New Jersey
Profession physician
Religion Presbyterian

Dr. Arnold Snow Naudain (January 6, 1790January 4, 1872) was an American physician and politician from Odessa, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, and a member of the Whig Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Contents

[edit] Early life and family

Naudain was born near Dover, Delaware and graduated from the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University, in 1806. He then studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, graduated in 1810, and began practicing medicine in Dover. During the War of 1812 he served as surgeon general of the Delaware Militia.

[edit] Political career

Naudain was elected to the State House and served there in the 1817 and 1818 sessions. He was also elected to the 1826 session, when he was the Speaker. He ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Delaware in 1832 against Democrat Caleb P. Bennett.

He was elected by the Delaware General Assembly to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Louis McLane, and served from his election on January 7, 1830 until he resigned on June 16, 1836. During the 24th Congress he was the Chairman of the Committee on Claims. Naudain was an anti-Jacksonian when first elected, but became associated with the Whigs as that party formed. He held the position of collector of the port of Wilmington

Naudain served as a member of the board of trustees at Newark College, later the University of Delaware, from 1833 to 1835. An active Presbyterian layman, Naudain proposed that the University decline the proceeds of a state lottery due to the opposition of his church. The state threatened to ask the college to return proceeds purchased from the college's endowment, since they had been financed by an earlier lottery. The board of trustees voted 13-0 against rejecting the lottery proceeds. Naudain was one of seven trustees who refused to vote and subsequently resigned his position on the board.

After serving as senator, Naudain resumed the practice of medicine in Wilmington, Delaware. He held the position of collector of the port of Wilmington from 1841 until 1845. In that year he moved to Philadelphia and continued his practice there. He was a Freemason, serving at one time as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Delaware.

[edit] Death and legacy

Naudain died January 4, 1872 and is buried in the Old Drawyer’s Presbyterian Churchyard at Odessa, Delaware.

Office Type Location Elected Took Office Left Office notes
State Representative Legislature Dover 1816 January 4, 1817 January 3, 1818
State Representative Legislature Dover 1817 January 4, 1818 January 3, 1819
State Representative Legislature Dover 1825 January 4, 1826 January 3, 1827 Speaker
U.S. Senator Legislative Washington January 13, 1830 March 3, 1833 class 1
U.S. Senator Legislative Washington March 4, 1833 June 16, 1836 class 1

[edit] Election results

Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1832 Governor Arnold Naudain Whig 4,166 50% Caleb P. Bennett Democratic 4,220 50%

[edit] References

  • Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co.. 
  • Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware, 3 vols.. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company. 

[edit] External links

  • Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress [1]
  • Delaware’s Senators [2]
  • Find a Grave [3]
  • History of Delaware 1609-1888 [4]
  • The Political Graveyard [5]
  • The University of Delaware: A History [6]

[edit] Places with more information

  • Historical Society of Delaware [7] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
  • University of Delaware Library [8] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965


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