John V. L. Pruyn | |
|---|---|
 From the August 1888 issue of theMagazine of Western History | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from New York's14th district | |
| In office 1867–1869 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Goodyear |
| Succeeded by | Stephen L. Mayham |
| In office 1863–1865 | |
| Preceded by | Erastus Corning |
| Succeeded by | Charles Goodyear |
| Member of theNew York State Senate from the 13th district | |
| In office 1862–1863 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew J. Colvin |
| Succeeded by | Ira Shafer |
| Chancellor of theBoard of Regents of the University of the State of New York | |
| In office 1862–1877 | |
| Preceded by | Gerrit Y. Lansing |
| Succeeded by | Erastus C. Benedict |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Van Schaick Lansing Pruyn (1811-06-22)June 22, 1811 Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Died | November 21, 1877(1877-11-21) (aged 66) |
| Resting place | Albany Rural Cemetery |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet Corning Turner (m. 1840-1859, her death) Anna Fenn Parker (m. 1865-1877, his death) |
| Relations | Robert H. Pruyn (cousin) Amasa J. Parker (father-in-law) William Gorham Rice (son-in-law) Charles Sumner Hamlin (son-in-law) |
| Children | 8 |
| Signature | .png) |
John Van Schaick Lansing Pruyn (June 22, 1811 – November 21, 1877) was an American lawyer, businessman and politician fromAlbany, New York. His business ventures included banking and railroads, often in partnership with longtime friendErastus Corning, who was the uncle of Pruyn's first wife. Pruyn served in state and federal legislative offices, and was most notable for his terms as aUnited States representative fromNew York during the latter half of theAmerican Civil War and the early days ofReconstruction.
Pruyn was born inAlbany, New York, on June 22, 1811, the son of David Pruyn and Hibertje Lansing Pruyn.[1] His last name is pronounced to rhyme with "shine"[2][3] and he was of Dutch descent, with Van Schaick, Lansing and Pruyn all being prominent Dutch family names inupstate New York.[4] Pruyn pursued classical studies and graduated fromThe Albany Academy in 1826.[5] Hestudied law with Albany attorney James King, wasadmitted to the bar in 1832, and commenced practice in Albany.[6]
In addition to practicing law, Pruyn was successful in several business ventures, often in partnership withErastus Corning, who was the uncle of Pruyn's first wife. His business interests included the Albany City Bank, of which Pruyn was an incorporator and the longtime vice president.[7] In addition, he helped organize theNew York Central Railroad system, and was one of its main shareholders.[8]
Pruyn was elected a member of the Albany Institute in 1831, and served as president from 1857 until his death. He was appointed aregent of theUniversity of the State of New York in 1844, and served aschancellor from 1868 until his death. Pruyn was also a founding trustee of St. Stephen's College, which was later renamedBard College.[5] In addition, he served on the New York State Board of Charities and on the commission that designed and built theNew York State Capitol.[1] Pruyn had the honor of laying the new capitol's first stone, which he did in an 1869 ceremony that included GovernorJohn T. Hoffman and other prominent dignitaries.[9]
Pruyn received thehonorary degree ofMaster of Arts fromRutgers College in 1835.[5] He received an honoraryMaster of Arts fromUnion College in 1845, and an honoraryLL.D. from theUniversity of Rochester in 1852.[10]
Pruyn was a member of theNew York State Senate (13th D.) in1862 and1863.
He was elected as aDemocrat to the38th United States Congress, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Erastus Corning, holding office from December 7, 1863, to March 3, 1865.[11] Like Corning, Pruyn was a pro-Union Democrat who supported the war effort because he believed that states did not have the right to secede. Like many pro-Union Democrats, Pruyn also argued that in prosecuting the war,Abraham Lincoln's administration sometimes overstepped its authority with regard to individual liberties and civil rights.[12]
Pruyn was elected to the40th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1867, to March 3, 1869.
Afterwards he resumed his law practice and business interests.[13]
Pruyn was a stockholder in theCentral Pacific Railroad and a director of theUnion Pacific Railroad. In his 1867 to 1869 term he was revealed to be one of the members of Congress who had received stock in the Crédit Mobilier. During the subsequentscandal and investigation, his name appeared on lists of Congressmen who owned shares, but records showed he had paid for his stock. He was never accused of receiving it as a bribe, or of committing any wrongdoing.[14]
Pruyn died inClifton Springs, New York, on November 21, 1877.[15] He was buried atAlbany Rural Cemetery inMenands, New York.[16]
On October 22, 1840 Pruyn married Harriet Corning Turner (June 18, 1822 – March 22, 1859), the niece ofErastus Corning.[17] They had six children, two of whom - Erastus Corning Pruyn and John V. L. Pruyn, Jr. - lived to adulthood.[1]
After the death of his first wife Pruyn married Anna Fenn Parker (March 26, 1840 – October 7, 1909), the daughter ofAmasa J. Parker.[18][19][20][21][22] They had two daughters, Harriet Langdon Pruyn and Huybertje (also spelled Huybertie or Hibertje) Lansing Pruyn.[1]
Erastus Corning Pruyn (August 24, 1841 – February 1, 1881) was an agent of theUnited States Department of State inCaracas, Venezuela, in the 1860s and traveled extensively as a student and businessman. He died inTenerife.[23]
John V. L. Pruyn, Jr. (March 14, 1859 – September 22, 1904) graduated fromUnion College in 1880 and practiced law in Albany.[24]
Harriet Langdon Pruyn (January 31, 1868 – July 3, 1939)[25] was the wife ofWilliam Gorham Rice.[26] Rice was an aide toGovernorSamuel Tilden andPresidentGrover Cleveland, and succeededTheodore Roosevelt as a member of theUnited States Civil Service Commission.[27] In addition to being active in Albany civic and philanthropic causes, Harriet Langdon Pruyn was the author of a biography, 1924'sHarmanus Bleecker: an Albany Dutchman, 1779-1849. (John V. L. Pruyn and Amasa J. Parker had been involved in the disposition ofBleecker's estate, which gave Harriet Pruyn access to Bleecker's papers.)[28]
Huybertje Lansing Pruyn (April 8, 1878—March 6, 1964) was the wife ofCharles Sumner Hamlin.[29][30] She was the author ofMemories of an Albany Girlhood (also published asAn Albany Girlhood).
Pruyn's extended family included cousinRobert H. Pruyn, a prominent lawyer, militia general, diplomat, and politician.[5]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)john van schaick lansing pruyn rutgers.
| New York State Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | New York State Senate 13th District 1862–1863 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 14th congressional district 1863–1865 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromNew York's 14th congressional district 1867–1869 | Succeeded by |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chancellor of theUniversity of the State of New York 1862-1877 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
