Orestes CLEVELAND, Congress, NJ (1829-1896)

CLEVELAND, Orestes, a Representative from New Jersey; born in Duanesburg, Schenectady County, N.Y., March 2, 1829; attended the common schools; moved to Jersey City, N.J., in 1845 and became involved in the manufacture of black lead, stove polish, and pencils; member of the board of aldermen of Jersey City in 1861 and 1862, serving as its president in the latter year; mayor of Jersey City 1864-1866; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-first Congress (March 4, 1869-March 3, 1871); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1870 to the Forty-second Congress; engaged in business with the Forbes Fibre Co. of Jersey City; unsuccessful candidate for the nomination for Governor on the Democratic ticket in 1880; again mayor of Jersey City 1886-1891; was one of the organizers of the board of trade of Jersey City in 1888 and its first president; moved to Tenafly in 1892 and thence to Engelwood, N.J.; died March 30, 1896, in Norwich, Windsor County, Vt., where he had gone in search of health; interment in Fairview Cemetery.

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