Abraham M. Schermerhorn
Encyclopedia
Abraham Maus Schermerhorn (December 11, 1791 – August 22, 1855) was the third mayor of Rochester, New York and a United States Representative
from New York.
Born in Schenectady
, he completed preparatory studies and graduated from Union College
in 1810. He studied law, was admitted to the bar
in 1812, and in 1813 moved to Rochester
. He became the "money king" of the Genesee region
as the secretary of Rochester's first bank before becoming a supervisor of the city in 1834. In 1837 Schermerhorn became the third mayor of Rochester but resigned after two months to become secretary to the New York State Senate
. He became a member of the New York State Assembly
in 1848 and was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses, representing New York's 28th congressional district
holding office from March 4, 1849 to March 3, 1853. In 1855 he died at Savin Rock, near West Haven, Connecticut
. He was interred in Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester
.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from New York.
Born in Schenectady
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
, he completed preparatory studies and graduated from Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1810. He studied law, was admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
in 1812, and in 1813 moved to Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. He became the "money king" of the Genesee region
Genesee River
The Genesee River is a North American river flowing northward through the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York. The river provided the original power for the Rochester area's 19th century mills and still provides hydroelectric power for downtown Rochester....
as the secretary of Rochester's first bank before becoming a supervisor of the city in 1834. In 1837 Schermerhorn became the third mayor of Rochester but resigned after two months to become secretary to 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...
. He became a member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1848 and was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses, representing New York's 28th congressional district
New York's 28th congressional district
The 28th district of New York is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in northwest New York. The district is based in Rochester, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls, and includes parts of Erie, Monroe, Niagara and Orleans Counties; its easternmost point is in Fairport at...
holding office from March 4, 1849 to March 3, 1853. In 1855 he died at Savin Rock, near West Haven, Connecticut
West Haven, Connecticut
West Haven is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 52,721.-History:...
. He was interred in Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester
Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester
Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York, founded in 1838, is the United States' first municipal rural cemetery. Situated on 196 acres of land adjacent to the University of Rochester on Mount Hope Avenue, the cemetery is the permanent resting place of over 350,000 people...
.
External links
- Schermerhorn Genealogy and Family Chronicles at www.SchenectadyHistory.org