U.S. Congressman. He graduated from Columbia College in 1842, studied law, was admitted to in 1845, but due his eyesight failing, he engaged in the iron business with Peter Cooper and established metal works in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He was appointed one of the ten United States scientific commissioners to visit the French Exposition Universelle, in 1867 and made a report on iron and steel, which was published by Congress. He also organized and managed the Cooper Union for the advancement of science and art. In 1875, he was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth Congresses, serving until 1879 and reelected to the Forty-seventh, Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Congresses, serving (1881-86). After leaving Congress, he was Mayor of New York City, (1887-88), a member of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, in 1900 and was a trustee of Columbia University, from 1901, until his death.

U.S. Congressman. He graduated from Columbia College in 1842, studied law, was admitted to in 1845, but due his eyesight failing, he engaged in the iron business with Peter Cooper and established metal works in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He was appointed one of the ten United States scientific commissioners to visit the French Exposition Universelle, in 1867 and made a report on iron and steel, which was published by Congress. He also organized and managed the Cooper Union for the advancement of science and art. In 1875, he was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fourth and Forty-fifth Congresses, serving until 1879 and reelected to the Forty-seventh, Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Congresses, serving (1881-86). After leaving Congress, he was Mayor of New York City, (1887-88), a member of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, in 1900 and was a trustee of Columbia University, from 1901, until his death.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith