Rufus Palen
Rufus Palen (February 25, 1807 – April 26, 1844) was an American manufacturer and politician in the U.S. state of New York. He represented New York in the United States House of Representatives.
Rufus Palen | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 7th district | |
In office March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841 | |
Preceded by | John C. Brodhead |
Succeeded by | John Van Buren |
Personal details | |
Born | Palenville, New York, U.S. | February 25, 1807
Died | April 26, 1844 37) New York City, New York, U.S. | (aged
Resting place | Old Cemetery Palenville, New York |
Citizenship | US |
Political party | Whig |
Profession | Manufacturer Politician |
Biography
Palen was born in Palenville, New York and moved with his family as a child to Fallsburg.[1] He received limited schooling and became engaged in the tanning and manufacture of leather as head of Rufus Palen & Co., and a partner in Knapp & Palen, Palen & Flagler, and other companies. In addition, he was a partner in a general store under the company name Palen Foster & Co., and was active in other business ventures.
He held several political offices in New York, including postmaster of Palenville, and town board member, school supervisor, and district highway overseer for Fallsburg. He was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-sixth Congress, serving from March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841.[2]
Palen contracted tuberculosis during his term in Congress, and spent much of his time afterwards traveling outside the United States in an effort to improve his health. He died in New York City on April 26, 1844.[3] He is interred in the Old Cemetery in Palenville, New York.
Notes
- United States. Government Printing Office (1918). Congressional serial set. U.S. G.P.O. p. 905. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- United States. Congress, and Enyart, O. M. (1903). A Biographical Congressional Directory, 1774 to 1903: The Continental Congress: September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788, Inclusive. The United States Congress: the First Congress to the Fifty-seventh Congress, March 4, 1903, Inclusive. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 130. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- Congressional Quarterly, inc (2009). American Political Leaders 1789-2009. CQ Press. p. 210. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
External links
- United States Congress. "Rufus Palen (id: P000032)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by John C. Brodhead |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 7th congressional district 1839 - 1841 |
Succeeded by John Van Buren |