John Ludovicus Viele was an American politician from 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...

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Life

He was the son of Ludovicus Viele (1742-1800) and Effie (Toll) Viele. On November 18, 1810, he married Kathlyne Knickerbocker (1792-1837), and they had eight children, among them Henry K. Viele (1819-1881), who ran in 1860 for Lt. Gov. of New York; and Gen. and Congressman Egbert Ludovicus Viele (1825-1902).

John L. Viele entered Union College

Union College

Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...

 in 1811, but left after a year. Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1812, and practiced in Troy

Troy, New York

Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...

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He was 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...

 (Middle D.) in 1822

45th New York State Legislature

The 45th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 2 to April 17, 1822, during the fifth year of DeWitt Clinton's governorship, in Albany.-Background:...

, elected to a four-year term but legislated out of office by the New York Constitution of 1821.

He was again a member of the State Senate {4th D.) from 1826 to 1829, sitting in the 49th

49th New York State Legislature

The 49th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 3 to April 18, 1826, during the second year of DeWitt Clinton's second tenure as Governor of New York, in Albany.-Background:...

, 50th

50th New York State Legislature

The 50th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 2 to December 4, 1827, during the third year of DeWitt Clinton's second tenure as Governor of New York, in Albany.-Background:...

, 51st and 52nd New York State Legislatures.

On February 6, 1832, Viele was elected by the State Legislature a Regent of the University of the State of New York

University of the State of New York

The University of the State of New York is the State of New York's governmental umbrella organization responsible for most institutions and people in any way connected with formal educational functions, public and private, in New York State...

, but died later the same year.

Sources

• The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (pages 126ff, 145 and 338; Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858)
• Viele genealogy at the Knickerbocker Family site
• Bio of Henry K. Viele transcribed from Our County and Its People - A descriptive work on Erie County, New York by Truman C. White (The Boston History Company, 1898)