U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator, New York Governor. While working as a lumber merchant, he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1841 and also served as a Colonel in the New York Militia. He was supervisor of Carroll, New York, (1846-52), elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress, serving (1853-55), reelected to the Thirty-fifth Congress in 1857 and to the next three succeeding Congresses, serving until his resignation, in 1864. In 1865, he was elected as a Republican the 22nd Governor of New York, serving until 1868. During his tenure, Cornell University was founded, a free public school system was initiated and relief measures were sanctioned that benefited veterans. After leaving office, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, serving (1869-75). In 1878, he was appointed chairman of the U.S. Commission to the International Monetary Conference in Paris. Retiring from politics, he engaged in banking until his death at age 66.

U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator, New York Governor. While working as a lumber merchant, he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1841 and also served as a Colonel in the New York Militia. He was supervisor of Carroll, New York, (1846-52), elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress, serving (1853-55), reelected to the Thirty-fifth Congress in 1857 and to the next three succeeding Congresses, serving until his resignation, in 1864. In 1865, he was elected as a Republican the 22nd Governor of New York, serving until 1868. During his tenure, Cornell University was founded, a free public school system was initiated and relief measures were sanctioned that benefited veterans. After leaving office, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, serving (1869-75). In 1878, he was appointed chairman of the U.S. Commission to the International Monetary Conference in Paris. Retiring from politics, he engaged in banking until his death at age 66.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith