Washington HUNT, Congress, NY (1811-1867)

HUNT, Washington, a Representative from New York; born in Windham, Greene County, N.Y., August 5, 1811; moved with his parents to Portage, Livingston County, N.Y., in 1818; completed preparatory studies; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1834 and commenced practice in Lockport, N.Y.; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1836 to the Twenty-fifth Congress; appointed judge of the court of common pleas of Niagara County and served from January 30, 1836, to February 4, 1841; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, and Thirtieth Congresses (March 4, 1843-March 3, 1849); chairman, Committee on Commerce (Thirtieth Congress); was not a candidate for renomination in 1848; comptroller of New York in 1849 and 1850; Governor of the State 1850-1852; unsuccessful candidate for reelection; retired to his farm near Lockport; temporary chairman of the Whig National Convention in 1856; was tendered the Democratic nomination for Vice President in 1860 but declined; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1864; died in New York City February 2, 1867; interment in Glenwood Cemetery, Lockport, N.Y.

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