George F. Edmunds was born on a farm in Richmond on this day in 1828. Edmunds would serve in the Vermont Legislature, but would be best remembered for his service as U.S. Senator.

Edmunds represented Vermont for 25 years, presiding over the Senate during Chester A. Arthur’s term as president. There was controversy over who won the presidency in 1876, due to neither Samuel J. Tilden nor Rutherford B. Hayes winning a majority of electoral votes.

Edmunds entered the national spotlight by introducing a bill that led to the electoral commission, a bi-partisan panel that would resolve such disputes.

Coin courtesy the Vermont Historical Society.