US Congressman, Civil War Union Army Officer. A native Southerner who would serve the United States Government faithfully, he was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and earned a medical degree in 1830. Soon afterward he established a practice in Connecticut, and commenced a varied and adventurous life. During the Mexican War he enlisted in the United States Navy, and served as the Chief Surgeon on board the warship "USS Constellation". In 1849 he joined the thousand who migrated to California to participate in the famed Gold Rush. Like a majority of the California settlers, he failed to find his fortune there, and returned to the East, establishing a medical practice on Long Island, New York. In 1854 he made a successful run for Congress, and was elected as a member of the American Party to represent New York's 1st District in the United States House of Representatives, serving from March 4, 1855 to March 3, 1857. In 1856 he was defeated by Congressman John Alexander Searing in his bid for re-election. When the Civil War began in 1861, he joined the Union Army, and became the Chief Surgeon for the 2nd Maryland (USA) Volunteer Infantry, a unit that fought at the battles of 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg and at Petersburg. After the war he was appointed as a Pension Office Clerk, a occupation he served in from 1867 until his death in Washington, DC in 1879.
US Congressman, Civil War Union Army Officer. A native Southerner who would serve the United States Government faithfully, he was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and earned a medical degree in 1830. Soon afterward he established a practice in Connecticut, and commenced a varied and adventurous life. During the Mexican War he enlisted in the United States Navy, and served as the Chief Surgeon on board the warship "USS Constellation". In 1849 he joined the thousand who migrated to California to participate in the famed Gold Rush. Like a majority of the California settlers, he failed to find his fortune there, and returned to the East, establishing a medical practice on Long Island, New York. In 1854 he made a successful run for Congress, and was elected as a member of the American Party to represent New York's 1st District in the United States House of Representatives, serving from March 4, 1855 to March 3, 1857. In 1856 he was defeated by Congressman John Alexander Searing in his bid for re-election. When the Civil War began in 1861, he joined the Union Army, and became the Chief Surgeon for the 2nd Maryland (USA) Volunteer Infantry, a unit that fought at the battles of 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg and at Petersburg. After the war he was appointed as a Pension Office Clerk, a occupation he served in from 1867 until his death in Washington, DC in 1879.
Bio by: RPD2
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