José Manuel GALLEGOS, Congress, NM (1815-1875)

(1815-1875)

GALLEGOS, José Manuel, a Delegate from the Territory of New Mexico; was born in what is now Rio Arriba County, N.Mex., October 30, 1815; attended parochial schools; studied theology at the College of Durango, Republic of Mexico, and was graduated in 1840; member of the legislative assembly of what was then the Department of New Mexico, Republic of Mexico, 1843-1846; member of the first Territorial council of the Territory of New Mexico in 1851; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1853-March 3, 1855); presented credentials as a Delegate-elect to the Thirty-fourth Congress and served from March 4, 1855, to July 23, 1856, when he was succeeded by Miguel A. Otero, who contested his election; member of the Territorial house of representatives 1860-1862 and served as speaker; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1862 to the Thirty-eighth Congress; made a prisoner of war by the Texas Confederate troops in 1862; treasurer of the Territory in 1865 and 1866; superintendent of Indian affairs in New Mexico in 1868; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-second Congress (March 4, 1871-March 3, 1873); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1872 to the Forty-third Congress; died in Santa Fe, N.Mex., April 21, 1875; interment in the Catholic Cemetery.

Chavez, Angelico. Tres Macho—He Said: Padre Gallegos of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s First Congressman . Santa Fe, N.M.: William Gannon, 1985.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present