Homer Augustus Nelson (August 31, 1829 – April 25, 1891) was an American politician and soldier from the state of
New York. He served one term in the
U.S. House of Representative and was an officer in the
Union Army
During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union of the collective states. It proved essential to th ...
during the first part of the
Civil War
A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country).
The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government policies ...
and a
United States congressman
The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they ...
during the latter half of the war.
Early life and education
Nelson was born in
Poughkeepsie, New York
Poughkeepsie ( ), officially the City of Poughkeepsie, separate from the Town of Poughkeepsie around it) is a city in the U.S. state of New York. It is the county seat of Dutchess County, with a 2020 census population of 31,577. Poughkeepsi ...
, where he was also raised and educated. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Poughkeepsie.
Judicial career
He was a
judge of
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 295,911. The county seat is the city of Poughkeepsie. The county was created in 1683, one of New York's first twelve counties, and later or ...
from 1855 to 1862.
Civil War
At the outbreak of the Civil War, he became
colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...
of the
159th New York Volunteer Infantry.
Political career
He left in 1863 when he took his seat in the
38th United States Congress
The 38th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1863, ...
, but was unsuccessful for reelection in 1864.
Following the war, he was a delegate to the
New York State Constitutional Convention
The Constitution of the State of New York establishes the structure of the government of the State of New York, and enumerates the basic rights of the citizens of New York. Like most state constitutions in the United States, New York's constituti ...
in 1867 and the same year was elected
Secretary of State of New York
The secretary of state of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York who leads the Department of State (NYSDOS).
The current secretary of state of New York is Robert J. Rodriguez, a Democrat.
Duties
The secre ...
serving until 1871. He was a member of the
New York State Senate (15th D.) in
1882
Events
January–March
* January 2
** The Standard Oil Trust is secretly created in the United States to control multiple corporations set up by John D. Rockefeller and his associates.
** Irish-born author Oscar Wilde arrives in t ...
and
1883
Events
January–March
* January 4 – ''Life'' magazine is founded in Los Angeles, California, United States.
* January 10 – A fire at the Newhall Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, kills 73 people.
* Ja ...
; and was appointed to the commission to report a revision of the judiciary article of the
New York Constitution
The Constitution of the State of New York establishes the structure of the government of the State of New York, and enumerates the basic rights of the citizens of New York. Like most state constitutions in the United States, New York's constitut ...
in 1890.
Death and burial
He died on April 25, 1891 in Poughkeepsie and was interred in
Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
External links
*
1829 births
1891 deaths
People of New York (state) in the American Civil War
Union Army colonels
Secretaries of State of New York (state)
Democratic Party New York (state) state senators
New York (state) lawyers
Politicians from Poughkeepsie, New York
Burials at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery
Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state)
19th-century American politicians
19th-century American lawyers
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