Orsamus B. Matteson

Who was Orsamus B. Matteson?

Orsamus Benajah Matteson 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. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1850 to the Thirty-second Congress.

Matteson was elected as a Whig to the Thirty-third Congress and reelected as an Opposition Party candidate to the Thirty-fourth Congress and served from March 4, 1853, until his resignation on February 27, 1857. He served as chairman of the Committee on District of Columbia.

Matteson was elected as a Republican to the Thirty-fifth Congress. He was interested in a scheme for the construction of the St. Mary's Ship Canal. He engaged in lumbering and iron manufacturing and in the acquisition of large tracts of land. He died in Utica, New York, December 22, 1889. He was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica.