Biography

Entry from Biographical Directory of U.S. Congress: "Representative from New York; born in Moffat, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, August 6, 1779; attended the Edinburgh High School; immigrated to the United States in 1797; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1804 and commenced practice in Canandaigua, N.Y.; president of the Ontario Bank 1820-1856; regent of the University of the State of New York from 1825 and vice chancellor of the same institution from 1845, serving in both capacities until his death; one of the founders of the Ontario Female Seminary; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-seventh Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Francis Granger and served from May 21, 1841, to September 25, 1841, when he resigned; president of the Ontario Agricultural Society; died in Canandaigua, N.Y., April 9, 1858; interment in West Avenue Cemetery."