Orsamus B. Matteson

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O. B. Matteson, Congressman from New York.

Orsamus Benajah Matteson (August 28, 1805 – December 22, 1889) was a U.S. Representative from New York.

Born in Verona, New York, Matteson attended the common schools. He studied law in Utica, New York. He was admitted to the bar in 1830 and commenced practice in Utica. City attorney of Utica in 1834 and 1836. State supreme court commissioner. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1846 to the Thirtieth Congress.

Matteson was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-first Congress (March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1850 to the Thirty-second Congress.

He was interested in a scheme for the construction of the St. Mary's Ship Canal and he engaged in lumbering and iron manufacturing and in the acquisition of large tracts of land.

Matteson was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-third Congress and reelected as an Opposition Party candidate to the Thirty-fourth Congress and began service on March 4, 1853 where he served as chairman of the Committee on the District of Columbia.

He resigned on February 27, 1857 just before a recommendation of censure could be passed by the House for allegations of bribery and corruption concerning a Minnesota land bill. He was also accused of publicly stating that a majority of the US House was purchasable.^[1]

He died in Utica, New York, December 22, 1889 and was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica.^[2]

References[]

Sources[]

• United States Congress. "Orsamus B. Matteson (id: M000251)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.