Representative Glenni William Scofield

Glenni William Scofield (March 11, 1817 – August 30, 1891) was a United States Representative from Pennsylvania, a Pennsylvania State Representative, Pennsylvania State Senator, Register of the Treasury, and a judge of the Court of Claims. He was born in Dewittville, Chautauqua County, New York, where he spent his early years before pursuing higher education and a career in the law. His upbringing in western New York during the early nineteenth century placed him in a region experiencing rapid settlement and political development, influences that would shape his later public service.

Scofield pursued classical studies and studied law, gaining admission to the bar before relocating to Pennsylvania, where he established his legal practice. Settling in Warren, Pennsylvania, he built a reputation as a capable attorney and soon entered public life. His legal training and growing prominence in the community provided a foundation for his entry into state politics, where he began to take on increasingly significant responsibilities in the Pennsylvania legislature.

Scofield first served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he participated in state-level lawmaking and gained experience in legislative procedure and public policy. He later advanced to the Pennsylvania State Senate, continuing his work on issues important to his constituents and the Commonwealth. His tenure in the state legislature helped establish him as a committed Republican leader at a time when the party was consolidating its influence in the years leading up to and during the Civil War.

In 1863, Scofield was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania, beginning a period of congressional service that lasted until 1875. Serving six consecutive terms in the House, he represented his Pennsylvania constituents during one of the most consequential eras in American history, encompassing the Civil War, the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and the Reconstruction period. As a member of the House of Representatives, Glenni William Scofield participated in the democratic process and contributed to the legislative work of Congress, engaging with the pressing national questions of union, emancipation, and postwar reconstruction. Throughout his twelve years in Congress, he took part in debates and votes that helped shape the nation’s recovery and political realignment after the conflict.

After leaving the House of Representatives in 1875, Scofield continued his federal service in the executive branch as Register of the Treasury. In this capacity, he was responsible for important financial and administrative functions of the United States government, including the oversight of records related to federal financial instruments and the authentication of certain official documents. His appointment to this post reflected the confidence placed in his integrity and administrative ability following his long legislative career.

Scofield’s public service culminated in his appointment as a judge of the United States Court of Claims, a federal court in Washington, D.C., that adjudicated monetary claims against the United States government. As a judge of the Court of Claims, he applied his legal expertise and legislative experience to complex questions involving contracts, property, and governmental obligations, contributing to the development of federal jurisprudence in this specialized area. He served on the court until late in his life, remaining active in public affairs for many decades.

Glenni William Scofield died on August 30, 1891. His career spanned service in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and State Senate, six terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1863 to 1875 as a Republican member, a senior financial post as Register of the Treasury, and judicial service on the Court of Claims. Across these roles, he participated in the legislative and administrative life of the nation during a period marked by civil war, reconstruction, and institutional change, and he represented the interests of his Pennsylvania constituents in both state and national forums.