John Van S. L. Pruyn
Encyclopedia
John Van Schaick Lansing Pruyn (June 22, 1811 - November 21, 1877) was a United States Representative from New York during the latter half of the American Civil War
and the early days of Reconstruction. His last name is pronounced to rhyme with "shine."
, Pruyn pursued classical studies and was graduated from The Albany Academy
in 1826. He studied law and in 1832 was admitted to the bar
and commenced practice in Albany. He held several local offices, and was appointed a regent
of the University of the State of New York in 1844.
On October 22, 1840 Pruyn married Harriet Corning Turner (June 18, 1822-March 22, 1859), the niece of Erastus Corning
.
After the death of his first wife Pruyn married Anna Fenn Parker (March 26, 1840-October 7, 1909), the daughter of Amasa J. Parker
.
Pruyn was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Thirty-fourth
Congress in 1854 and served as member of the New York State Senate
in 1861. He was elected as a Democrat
to the Thirty-eighth
Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Erastus Corning and served from December 7, 1863 to March 3, 1865.
Pruyn was elected to the Fortieth
Congress (March 4, 1867-March 3, 1869).
He was not a candidate for renomination in 1864 and 1868 and resumed the practice of law at Albany, New York
. From 1868 until his death, he was Chancellor of the University of the State of New York
. He died in Clifton Springs, New York
; his remains were interred in Albany Rural Cemetery
.
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 the early days of Reconstruction. His last name is pronounced to rhyme with "shine."
Biography
Born in Albany, New YorkAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, Pruyn pursued classical studies and was graduated from The Albany Academy
The Albany Academy
The Albany Academy is an independent college preparatory day school for boys in Albany, New York, USA, enrolling students from Preschool to Grade 12. It was established in 1813 by a charter signed by Mayor Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer and the city council of Albany...
in 1826. He studied law and in 1832 was admitted to the bar
Admission to the bar in the United States
In the United States, admission to the bar is the granting of permission by a particular court system to a lawyer to practice law in that system. Each U.S. state and similar jurisdiction has its own court system and sets its own rules for bar admission , which can lead to different admission...
and commenced practice in Albany. He held several local offices, and was appointed a regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
of the University of the State of New York in 1844.
On October 22, 1840 Pruyn married Harriet Corning Turner (June 18, 1822-March 22, 1859), the niece of Erastus Corning
Erastus Corning
Erastus Corning I , American businessman and politician, was born in Norwich, Connecticut. Corning moved to Troy, New York at the age of 13 to clerk in the hardware store of an uncle; six years later he moved to Albany, New York, where he joined the mercantile business under James Spencer...
.
After the death of his first wife Pruyn married Anna Fenn Parker (March 26, 1840-October 7, 1909), the daughter of Amasa J. Parker
Amasa J. Parker
Amasa Junius Parker was a U.S. Representative from New York and a justice of the New York Supreme Court.-Early life:...
.
Pruyn was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the Thirty-fourth
34th United States Congress
The Thirty-fourth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1855 to March 4, 1857, during the last two years...
Congress in 1854 and served as 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 1861. He was elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the Thirty-eighth
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...
Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Erastus Corning and served from December 7, 1863 to March 3, 1865.
Pruyn was elected to the Fortieth
40th United States Congress
The Fortieth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1867 to March 4, 1869, during the third and fourth...
Congress (March 4, 1867-March 3, 1869).
He was not a candidate for renomination in 1864 and 1868 and resumed the practice of law at Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. From 1868 until his death, he was Chancellor 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...
. He died in Clifton Springs, New York
Clifton Springs, New York
Clifton Springs is a village located in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 2,223 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from local mineral springs....
; his remains were interred in Albany Rural Cemetery
Albany Rural Cemetery
The Albany Rural Cemetery was established October 7, 1844, in Menands, New York, just outside of the city of Albany, New York. It is renowned as one of the most beautiful, pastoral cemeteries in the United States, at over . Many historical American figures are buried there.-History:On April 2,...
.