Nelson, William (Congressman)

Born: 1784-06-29 Hyde Park, New York

Died: 1869-10-03 Westchester County, New York

Nelson was a New York attorney and politician. He attended common schools in Dutchess County and graduated from Poughkeepsie Academy. He read law and earned admission to the bar in Westchester County. In 1807, he commenced practicing law in Peekskill. He was district attorney for Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester counties from 1807 to 1837. From 1820 to 1821, he served in the New York State Assembly, and was a member of the New York Senate from 1824 to 1827. In 1846, Nelson won election as a Whig to the U.S. House of Representatives. New York voters re-elected him in 1848, and he remained in Congress until 1851. After leaving the House, he resumed his law practice in Peekskill.

Biographical Directory of the American Congress 1774-1996 (Alexandria, VA: CQ Staff Directories, 1997), 1581.