Daniel E. Somes was a United States Representative from Maine. He was born in Meredith, New Hampshire (now Laconia) on May 20, 1815. He received an academic education, then moved to Biddeford, Maine in 1846. He established the Eastern Journal, later known as the Union and Journal.
He engaged in the manufacture of loom harnesses, reed twine, and varnishes. He was elected Mayor of Biddeford 1855-1857, was president of the City Bank of Biddeford 1856-1858,and elected as a Republican to the Thirty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1859-March 3, 1861). He was a member of the Peace Convention of 1861 held in Washington, D.C., in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war.
He and his wife are mentioned in connection with the seances conducted and the home of Cranston Laurie, a leader of the Spiritualist movement in Washington during the war. According to others, he and his wife were present when both President and Mrs. Lincoln attended the seances.
He engaged in the practice of patent law until his death in that city on February 13, 1888. His interment was in Rock Creek Cemetery.