Bembe & Kimball Furniture

A beautifully detailed carved and upholstered oak US Senate armchair belonging to Person C. Cheney (1828-1901), the 44th New Hampshire Governor and US Senator. Person was born in Holderness, NH, educated at the academies at Parsonfield, Maine and at Hanover & Peterborough, NH. Cheney went into the family business, and eventually took over the duties of the paper manufacturing factory. He also served during the Civil War as a first lieutenant and later became the regimental quartermaster of the 13th Regiment of the New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry. Cheney first entered politics as a member of the NH House of Representatives, a position held from 1853-1855. He also served as the State Railroad Commissioner from 1864-1867; Mayor of Manchester from 1871-1873. Cheney next secured the 1875 Republican gubernatorial nomination, and after a close popular election, the legislation named Cheney the official Governor. He was reelected to a second term in 1876. During his tenure, patronage jobs and judicial appointments were reinstated to the Republican party, state government was restructured,and reform measures were initiated to stabilize the state’s declining economy. After leaving the governorship, Cheney secured an appointment to the US Senate, a position held from 1886-1887. He also served as a delegate to the 1888 Republican National Convention, as well as serving as a member of the 1900 Republican National Committee. From 1892 to 1893, he served as the envoy extraordinary to Switzerland. This chair was designed by Thomas Ustick Walter, Architect of the Capital 1851-1865, as one of 262 chairs constructed by cabinetmaker Bembe & Kimbel (NY) as part of the 1857 upgrade of the Senate and House chambers overseen by Montgomery Meigs, with a patriotic shield crest, scrollwork & acanthus carved arms, with acorn, oak leaf, & star decoration, foliate upholstered back, seat and armrests, supported by tapered round acanthus carved legs termination with brass caster feet. Provenance: Acquired from the Estate of Person C. Cheney. The chair is in very good overall condition, retaining its original finish, possibly reupholstered at some point, with minor surface wear, minor discoloration and fade of the upholstery, other minor losses, and imperfections commensurate with age and use. Dimensions: Approximately 41.75 in H x 26 in W x 28 in D, with a seat height of 21.5 inches. A great piece of NH and US Political...