History of Hoosick, (Rensselaer County) New York United States of America

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Biographies:

James Bedell McKean, representative, was born in Hoosick, N.Y., Aug. 5, 1821; son of the Rev. Andrew and Catherine B. McKean, and a descendant of Thomas McKean, the signer. His father was one of the pioneers of Methodism in northeastern New York, and removed to a farm at Halfmoon, N.Y., in 1828. James Bedell worked on his father's farm; attended the academy at Jonesville; taught there for several terms; established a select school at Clifton Park, and served as superintendent of public schools. He was admitted to the bar in 1847; practised at Ballston Spa, and previously to 1853 removed to Saratoga Springs, where he was married to Catherine, daughter of Judge William Hay; she died at Salt Lake, Utah, Jan. 24, 1879. He was colonel in the state militia; county judge for Saratoga county, 1855-59, and a Republican representative from New York in the 36th and 37th congresses, 1859-61, serving as chairman of the committee on expenditures in the state department and of the committee on elections. He left his seat in congress in 1861, organized the 77th New York volunteers, and commanded his regiment in the 3d brigade, 2d division, 6th army corps, in the seven days' battle before Richmond, and soon after was forced to leave his command owing to ill-health. He was appointed chief justice of Utah Territory by President Grant in 1873, but incurred the displeasure of the Mormons and was removed in 1875. He practised law at Salt Lake City, Utah, and died there Jan. 5, 1879.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Levi Beardsley, lawyer, was born at Hoosic, Rensselaer county, N.Y., Nov. 13, 1785; son of Obadiah and Eunice (Moore) Beardsley. When he was about four years old he removed with his father to Otsego county, and after attending the district school and working for a time on his father's farm, he enlisted at the age of eighteen in the militia. In 1810 he removed to Cherry Valley, where he read law, and in 1812 was admitted to the bar in the court Of common pleas, soon establishing a good practice. In 1825 he was elected to the state assembly, serving through the session of 1826, and in 1829 was elected to the state senate for four years, acting during the last year as president of that body. In 1834 he was again elected to the senate, in 1839 removed to Oswego, N.Y., and in 1842 went to Columbus, Ohio, returning in 1846 to New York city, where he opened a law office. In 1852 he published a volume of "Reminiscences." He died March 19, 1857.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Samuel Beardsley, jurist, was born in Hoosic, N.Y., Feb. 9, 1790; brother of Levi Beardsley, jurist. After acquiring an academic education he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1815, and practised for a time at Rome, Oneida county, of which he was appointed district-attorney. In 1822 he was elected to the state senate, resigning his seat in that body to accept the office of first judge of Oneida county. From 1828 to 1830 he was U. S, attorney for northern New York, receiving his appointment from President Jackson. In 1830 he was elected as a Democratic representative to the 22d Congress, and re-elected to the 23d and 24th congresses, serving from December, 1831, to July, 1836, when he was appointed attorney-general to the state of New York. He was elected a representative to the 28th Congress in 1842, but served less than a year, resigning his seat February, 1844, to become associate justice of the supreme court of the state of New York. From this position he rose to that of chief justice in 1847, succeeding Judge Bronson. He was an able jurist and statesman and while in Congress made several strong and eloquent speeches. He received the degree of LL.D, from Hamilton college in 1849. The remainder of his life was passed in Utica, where, though declining public offices, he made himself conspicuous in all public movements, social or political. He was a delegate to the national Democratic convention which met in Cincinnati in 1856, and was the controlling factor in the nomination of James Buchanan. He died in Utica. N.Y., May 6, 1860.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor