The New England Historical and Genealogical Register

In March, 1855, Mr. Fisher was appointed Attorney-General of the State of Delaware for the term of five years. In 1860 he was elected to Congress where he served from March, 1861, to March, 1863, the stormy period of the first two years of the civil war. He was active in securing to the Federal cause Delaware's contingent of troops, and gave largely of his time and means to enlist and equip the Delaware regiments. President Lincoln conceived a warm feeling and had a high regard for Mr. Fisher. On the abolition of the old courts and the creation of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, he appointed Fisher one of the justices of that court upon the expiration of his congressional term. As a judge, Mr. Fisher displayed great aptitude and ability, and was most favorably considered by his associates and by the public. He presided at the trial of John H. Surratt for participation in the assassination of President Lincoln.

George Purnell Fisher was born at Milford, Delaware, October 13, 1817. At the age of seventeen he entered the sophomore class at Dickinson College, where he graduated in July, 1838. Having decided upon the profession of law, he entered the office of Hon. John M. Clayton. He was admitted to the bar in April, 1841; settled at Dover and soon acquired a large clientage for a young man. When John M. Clayton became Secretary of State under President Taylor, Fisher entered into public life by becoming Clayton's confidential clerk. The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty was negotiated while Fisher was Secretary Clayton's clerk; hence he was in close personal relation with Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, the British Minister. At one of the conferences at Washington, a house in the rear took fire, and Bulwer, Clayton and Fisher rushed out and helped the firemen with the crude appliances of that day to put the fire out. They then returned to their work, wet, grimy and smoked.

In May, 1870, Judge Fisher resigned his place upon the bench, and was appointed by President Grant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. At the end of five years he resigned this office and returned to his home in Delaware, with no intention of again entering public life. In June, 1889, however, the position of First Auditor of the Treasury was tendered him by President Benjamin Harrison. This position he accepted and held until the change of administration in 1893. He then returned to the home of his childhood, lived quietly in his extensive library, and devoted the last years of his life to reading and literary pursuits. He was one of the most agreeable of men. His mind was so well stored with reminiscence and general information that it was a treat to both old and young to be in his company and listen to his entertaining and instructive conversation. His generous Christian spirit and honesty of purpose endeared him to all who came within the range of his friendship. After a short illness, he died in the City of Washington, February 10, 1899, aged eighty-one years.

In 1840 Mr. Fisher married Eliza A. McColley, who survives him with four children — George P. Fisher, Jr., a lawyer in Chicago, Charles Fisher, Miss Virginia Fisher, and Mrs. Annie Fisher Cahoon. He was a devoted and exemplary husband and father, and has left in each stricken heart the impress of his own pure and useful life.