Harvey Putnam

Harvey Putnam (January 5, 1793 – September 20, 1855) was an American lawyer and politician. He was a Whig member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and served in the New York Senate.

Harvey Putnam
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 33rd district
In office March 4, 1847 – March 3, 1851
Preceded by	Albert Smith
Succeeded by	Augustus P. Hascall
New York State Senator from the Eighth District
In office 1843–1846
Preceded by	Henry Hawkins
Succeeded by	Francis H. Ruggles
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 29th district
In office November 7, 1838 – March 3, 1839
Preceded by	Vacant
Succeeded by	Seth M. Gates
Personal details
Born	January 5, 1793 Brattleboro, Vermont, United States
Died	September 20, 1855 (aged 62) Attica, New York, United States
Resting place	Forest Hill Cemetery Utica, New York
Political party	Whig
Spouse(s)	Myra Osborne Putnam
Children	James O. Putnam
Parents	Asa Putnam Anna (Collins) Putnam
Residence	Attica, New York
Occupation	Lawyer Politician

Early life

Putnam was born in Brattleboro, Windham County, Vermont, the youngest of nine children of Asa Putnam and Anna (Collins) Putnam.[1] His father died while he was an infant, and he went with his mother to live with relatives in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and later with relatives in Cobleskill, New York.[2][3][4]

He attended the common schools and studied law in Skaneateles, New York, supporting himself by teaching. In 1816, he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law in Attica, New York in 1817.[5]

Political career

He became involved in politics and held several offices in Attica, He was elected as a Whig to the 25th United States Congress, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William Patterson, holding office from November 7, 1838, to March 3, 1839.[6]

Putnam was appointed as Surrogate of Genesee County in 1840, an office he held until the division of the county.[7] He was then appointed as Surrogate of Wyoming County, remaining in office until 1843.[8]

He was a member of the New York State Senate (Eight District) from 1843 to 1846, sitting in the 66th, 67th, 68th and 69th Legislatures.[9]

He was elected as a Whig to the 30th and 31st United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1851.[10] After leaving Congress, he resumed the practice of law.

Putnam died on September 20, 1855 in Attica, and is interred in Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica, New York.[1]

Family life

Putnam married Myra (Osborne) Putnam on August 5, 1817.[2] Their son was James O. Putnam, New York State Senator and U.S. Minister to Belgium.[4][11]

References

1. "Harvey Putnam". Ancestry.com. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
2. Putnam, James Osborne (1868). Biographical Sketch of the Late Hon. Harvey Putnam. Haas & Kelley. pp. 5, 8.
3. United States. Government Printing Office (1918). Congressional serial set. U.S. G.P.O. p. 147.
4. Perry, Arthur Latham (1894). Origins in Williamstown. Origins in Williamstown. pp. 592, 605.
5. Vermont Historical Society (1921). Proceedings of the Vermont Historical Society. The Society. p. 138.
6. United States. Government Printing Office (1839). Congressional serial set. U.S. G.P.O. p. 357.
7. Morrison, W. E. (1880). History of Wyoming County, N.Y.: With Illustrations, Biographical Sketches, and Portraits of Some Pioneers and Prominent Residents. W. E. Morrison. p. 72.
8. Wyoming County (N.Y.). Board of Supervisors (1902). Journal of the Board of Supervisors of Wyoming County, New York. The Board. p. 287.
9. Weed, Parsons and Company (1879). Civil List and Forms of Government of the Colony and State of New York: Containing Notes on the Various Governmental Organizations; Lists of the Principal Colonial, State and County Officers, and the Congressional Delegations and Presidential Electors, with the Votes of the Electoral Colleges. The Whole Arranged in Constitutional Periods. Weed, Parsons and Company. p. 132.
10. Gray and Bowen (1856). The American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year ...: Comprising a Calendar for the Year; Astronomical Information; Miscellaneous Directions, Hints, and Remarks; and Statistical and Other Particulars Respecting Foreign Countries and the United States, Volume 28. Gray and Bowen. p. 349.
11. Matthews, George E. & Co. (1898). The men of New York: a collection of biographies and portraits of citizens of the Empire state prominent in business, professional, social, and political life during the last decade of the nineteenth century. G.E. Matthews & Co. p. 224.

External links

• United States Congress. "Harvey Putnam (id: P000580)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.