William Duer (U.S. Congressman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Duer
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 23rd district |
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| In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1851 |
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| Preceded by | William J. Hough |
| Succeeded by | Leander Babcock |
| County Clerk of San Francisco, California | |
| In office October 1857 – October 1859 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Hayes |
| Succeeded by | Washington Bartlett |
| United States Consul to Valparaíso, Chile | |
| In office 1851–1853 |
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| Preceded by | Zabdiel W. Potter |
| Succeeded by | Reuben Wood |
| District Attorney of Oswego County, New York | |
| In office 1845–1847 |
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| Preceded by | Leander Babcock |
| Succeeded by | Ransom H. Tyler |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from Oswego County | |
| In office January 1, 1840 – January 31, 1841 Serving with Peter Devendorf (1st term)
Edward B. Judson (2nd term) |
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| Preceded by | Samuel Hawley, Edward B. Judson |
| Succeeded by | Peter Devendorf, Robert Kenyon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 25, 1805 New York City, New York |
| Died | August 25, 1879 (aged 74) New Brighton, Staten Island, New York |
| Resting place | Silver Mount Cemetery, Staten Island, New York |
| Political party | Whig (before 1860) Constitutional Union (1860) Democratic (after 1860) |
| Education | Columbia College |
| Profession | Attorney |
William Duer (March 25, 1805 – August 25, 1879) was an American lawyer and politician. He served in important roles in both California and New York. From 1847 to 1851, he represented New York in the United States House of Representatives.
Duer was born in New York City. He came from a family well-known in New York politics. He graduated from Columbia College in 1824. After studying law, he became a lawyer in 1828. He practiced law in Oswego and New York City.
He became active in politics as a member of the Whig Party. He served in the New York State Assembly in 1840 and 1841. From 1845 to 1847, he was the District Attorney for Oswego County. In 1846, Duer was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served two terms, from 1847 to 1851.
After his time in Congress, Duer worked as a U.S. Consul in Valparaíso, Chile. He then moved to San Francisco, where he continued to practice law. He also served as a county clerk there. In 1859, he returned to Oswego. He worked to prevent the American Civil War. Once the war started, Duer supported the Union. However, he disagreed with the Republican Party. He believed in finding ways to end the war through compromise.
In his later years, Duer lived on Staten Island. He passed away there in 1879. He was buried at Silver Mount Cemetery.
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Early Life and Education
William Duer was born in New York City on March 25, 1805. His parents were John Duer and Anna Bedford Bunner Duer. William Duer came from a family with a history in government. His grandfather, William Duer, was a member of the Continental Congress.
He attended Columbia College. In 1824, he graduated as the top student in his class. After college, he studied law. He then became a lawyer and started his practice in Oswego.
Beginning His Career
In 1830, Duer moved to New York City. He later lived in New Orleans for a few years. By 1835, he was back in Oswego. There, he continued his law practice.
Duer became very involved in politics. He was a member of the Whig Party. He served in the New York State Assembly in 1840 and 1841. The Assembly is a part of the state's government that makes laws. In 1842, he ran for Congress but did not win.
He was chosen as a delegate for the 1844 Whig National Convention. This was a big meeting where the Whig Party chose its candidate for president. From 1845 to 1847, Duer served as the District Attorney for Oswego County. A District Attorney is a lawyer who represents the government in court cases.
Serving in Congress
In 1846, William Duer was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was a member of the Whig Party. He was reelected in 1848. He served two terms, from March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1851.
While in Congress, Duer had a balanced view on the issue of slavery. He believed it should be allowed where it already existed. However, he did not want it to spread to new territories. He supported both the Wilmot Proviso and the Compromise of 1850. These were important plans about slavery in new U.S. lands.
In 1849, there was a long debate to choose the Speaker of the House. The Speaker is the leader of the House of Representatives. Duer was considered as a possible compromise choice. During a discussion, Duer had a heated argument with Richard Kidder Meade. Meade was a Democrat from Virginia. Duer accused Meade of supporting states leaving the Union. The argument became very tense. Other members of the House had to step in to separate them. The issue was resolved when both men clarified their statements.
Later Career and Public Service
After leaving Congress, Duer was appointed as a Consul for the U.S. in Valparaíso, Chile. A consul is a government official who helps citizens and promotes trade in a foreign country. He served in this role from 1851 to 1853.
In 1854, Duer moved to San Francisco, California. He started a law firm there with other lawyers. From October 1857 to October 1859, he served as San Francisco's County Clerk. A county clerk manages official records for the county.
In 1859, Duer returned to Oswego. During the 1860 presidential election, he was against states leaving the Union. He wanted to find a peaceful solution to avoid the Civil War. He supported the Constitutional Union Party. This party wanted to find a middle ground on the issue of slavery. Duer even suggested that supporters of his party should vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He believed Douglas had the best chance to keep the country together.
During the American Civil War, Duer remained loyal to the Union. He joined the Democratic Party. He continued to suggest ways to end the war peacefully. He believed that if Southern states wanted to leave, they should follow a legal process.
Retirement and Passing
In his retirement, William Duer lived on Staten Island. He passed away in New Brighton on August 25, 1879. He was buried at Silver Mount Cemetery.
Family Life
In 1835, William Duer married Lucy Chew. They had six children: John, Beverley, Marie, Anne, Catharine, and Irving.
