Homer Augustus Nelson
Encyclopedia
Homer Augustus Nelson was an American
politician and soldier from the state of New York
. He was an officer in the Union Army
during the first part of the Civil War
and a United States congressman during the latter half of the war.
, where he was also raised and educated. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Poughkeepsie. He was a judge
of Dutchess County, New York
from 1855 to 1862.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, he became colonel
of the 159th New York Volunteer Infantry. He left in 1863 when he took his seat in the 38th United States Congress
, but was unsuccessful for reelection in 1864.
Following the war, he was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention in 1867 and the same year was elected Secretary of State of New York
serving until 1871. Nelson later became a member of the New York State Senate
in 1882 and 1883 and was appointed a member of the commission to report a revision of the judiciary article of the New York State constitution in 1890. He died the next year in Poughkeepsie and was interned in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and soldier from the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He was an officer in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the first part of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and a United States congressman during the latter half of the war.
Biography
Nelson was born in Poughkeepsie, New YorkPoughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
, where he was also raised and educated. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Poughkeepsie. He was a judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
of Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
from 1855 to 1862.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, he became colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the 159th New York Volunteer Infantry. He left in 1863 when he took his seat in the 38th United States Congress
38th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:Before this Congress, the 1860 United States Census and resulting reapportionment changed the size of the House to 241 members...
, but was unsuccessful for reelection in 1864.
Following the war, he was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention in 1867 and the same year was elected Secretary of State of New York
Secretary of State of New York
The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A...
serving until 1871. Nelson later became a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
in 1882 and 1883 and was appointed a member of the commission to report a revision of the judiciary article of the New York State constitution in 1890. He died the next year in Poughkeepsie and was interned in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
External links
Retrieved on 2008-02-14- Homer Augustus Nelson at The Political GraveyardThe Political GraveyardThe Political Graveyard is a website and database that catalogues information on more than 224,000 American political figures and political families, along with other information.-History:...