Hall, Nathan K.

Born: 1810-03-28 Marcellus, New York

Died: 1874-03-02 Buffalo, New York

Flourished: Buffalo, New York

Hall moved to Erie County, New York with his parents in his youth and attended district schools. He worked as a shoemaker and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Hall studied law with Millard Fillmore, earned admittance to the New York bar in 1832, and started a practice in Buffalo. Between 1831 and 1837, he held various local county and town offices in Erie County, including deputy clerk, clerk of the board of supervisors, and city attorney. He also served as a member of the board of alderman. Governor William H. Seward appointed Hall master in chancery in 1839. He served as judge of Erie County from 1841 to 1845. He won election to the New York Assembly in 1846. Hall then won election, as a Whig, to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1847 to 1849. In 1850, President Fillmore appointed him postmaster general, a position he held until 1852. After leaving the Post Office Department, Hall became U.S. district judge for the Western District of New York, remaining on the bench until his death.

Biographical Directory of the American Congress 1774-1996 (Alexandria, VA: CQ Staff Directories, 1997), 1143; Gravestone, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY.