US Congressman and Senator. After graduating from Union College in Schenectady, New York in 1827, he established the St. Lawrence Republican newspaper and served as postmaster of Ogdensburg, New York from 1831 until 1834. In 1835 he entered politics when he was elected to the New York state legislature, serving until 1838. As a member of the Democratic Party, he served in the US House of Representatives for New York's 18th congressional district for two consecutive terms, from March 1843 until March 1847, and then as a member of the Free Soil Party, he served for two additional terms, from March 1849 until March 1853. He was then elected to the US Senate as a member of the Republican Party, serving from March 1857 until March 1863, During his tenure in the US Senate, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. When Andrew Johnson became President following the death of Abraham Lincoln in April 1865, he served as the White House Chief of Staff until August of that year when Johnson appointed him as Collector of the Port of New York. Two months later, he committed suicide by drowning at the age of 59.
US Congressman and Senator. After graduating from Union College in Schenectady, New York in 1827, he established the St. Lawrence Republican newspaper and served as postmaster of Ogdensburg, New York from 1831 until 1834. In 1835 he entered politics when he was elected to the New York state legislature, serving until 1838. As a member of the Democratic Party, he served in the US House of Representatives for New York's 18th congressional district for two consecutive terms, from March 1843 until March 1847, and then as a member of the Free Soil Party, he served for two additional terms, from March 1849 until March 1853. He was then elected to the US Senate as a member of the Republican Party, serving from March 1857 until March 1863, During his tenure in the US Senate, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. When Andrew Johnson became President following the death of Abraham Lincoln in April 1865, he served as the White House Chief of Staff until August of that year when Johnson appointed him as Collector of the Port of New York. Two months later, he committed suicide by drowning at the age of 59.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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