Israel Washburn Jr. (1813–1883) served Maine in the state legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the governor’s office during a decisive period in national and state history.
He was born in Livermore on June 6, 1813. His brothers included Elihu Benjamin Washburn, Cadwallader Colden Washburn, and William Drew Washburn. More context on the family and its Livermore home is available in the entry on Norlands.
Law and early public service
Washburn attended common schools, received instruction from private tutors, and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1834 and began practicing in Orono. He served in the Maine House of Representatives in 1842 and 1843.
After an unsuccessful congressional campaign in 1848, he won election to the Thirty-second and Thirty-third Congresses as a Whig. He later served in the Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, and Thirty-sixth Congresses as a Republican. His congressional service ran from March 4, 1851, until January 1, 1861, when he resigned after being elected governor. During the Thirty-fourth Congress, he chaired the Committee on Elections.
Admitted to the bar and began practicing law in Orono.
Served in the Maine House of Representatives.
Represented Maine in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Served as governor of Maine.
Served as collector of customs at Portland.
Governor during the Civil War
Washburn served as governor of Maine in 1861 and 1862, the opening years of the Civil War. He declined to seek renomination after his second year in office.
President Abraham Lincoln appointed him collector of customs at Portland. Washburn held that federal post from October 31, 1863, until March 16, 1877, when he resigned. He also served as president of the board of trustees of Tufts College in Medford, Massachusetts.
Later life and legacy
After leaving public office, Washburn pursued literary work. He died in Philadelphia on May 12, 1883, and was interred in Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor.
The Aroostook County town of Washburn was named in his honor. His former home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the Orono entry provides additional local context.