Biography
A Representative and a Senator from New Jersey; born in Cedarville, N.J., July 9, 1780; attended the local schools and Nathaniel Ogden's Latin school; apprenticed as a tailor in 1796; taught in the local school 1799-1801; studied medicine with a physician in 1801 and at the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 1802 and 1803; practiced in Cedarville; member, State house of assembly 1808-1809, 1811, and 1813, serving as speaker in 1813; elected as a Democratic Republican to the Fourteenth and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1815-March 3, 1823); member, State council 1826 and served as president; elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joseph McIlvaine and served from November 9, 1826, to January 12, 1829, when he resigned because of failing health; chairman, Committee on Agriculture (Twentieth Congress); died in Cedarville, Cumberland County, N.J., January 28, 1829; interment in Old Stone Church Cemetery, Fairfield Township, N.J.
Courtesy of Biographical Directory of the United States Congress