On January 31, 1865, the House of Representatives voted to pass the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. This amendment abolished slavery in the United States.
Among those who voted AGAINST the amendment was a representative from the Coal Region. Representative Myer Strouse of Pottsville represented Pennsylvania’s 10th District. Strouse was a staunchly conservative Democrat elected by a slim majority in the district.
His election in 1863 came as many on the home front in the mining patch towns and villages of the Coal Region opposed the ongoing Civil War and the Lincoln administration’s policy of emancipation. This sparked anger among many local soldiers serving at the front lines with the US Army – they were unable to vote in the election that sent Strouse to Washington.
Strouse’s no-vote was included in the 2012 Steven Spielberg film “Lincoln,” a movie that told the story of President Abraham Lincoln’s January 1865 efforts to get the 13th Amendment to the required 2/3 majority in the House for passage.
The 13th Amendment was ultimately ratified in December 1865.
Read more about abolition, the Civil War, and the Pennsylvania Coal Region here
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Myer Strouse is buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Pottsville, PA.