William H. Kelsey

William Henry Kelsey (October 2, 1812 – April 20, 1879) was a U.S. Representative from New York.

William H. Kelsey
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 25th district
In office March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1871
Preceded by	Daniel Morris
Succeeded by	William H. Lamport
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 28th district
In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1859
Preceded by	George Hastings
Succeeded by	William Irvine
Personal details
Born	William Henry Kelsey (1812-10-02)October 2, 1812 Smyrna, New York, U.S.
Died	April 20, 1879(1879-04-20) (aged 66) Geneseo, New York, U.S.
Resting place	Temple Hill Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Other political affiliations	Opposition
Relatives	Edwin B. Kelsey (brother) Charles S. Kelsey (brother) Otto Kelsey (nephew)
Profession	Politician, lawyer

Born in Smyrna, New York, Kelsey attended the common schools. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1843 and commenced practice in Geneseo, New York. He was the Surrogate of Livingston County 1840–1844 and served as district attorney of Livingston County 1850–1853.

Kelsey was elected as an Opposition Party candidate to the Thirty-fourth Congress and reelected as a Republican to the Thirty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1859). He served as chairman of the Committee on Engraving (Thirty-fourth Congress). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1858 to the Thirty-sixth Congress. He resumed the practice of his profession.

Kelsey was elected as a Republican to the Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses (March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1871). He voluntarily retired from political life and resumed the practice of law in Geneseo, New York, where he died on April 20, 1879. He was interred in Temple Hill Cemetery.

His brother was Edwin B. Kelsey, who was a lawyer, businessman, and Wisconsin state legislator.^[1] Another brother, Charles S. Kelsey, was also a Wisconsin legislator whose son, Otto Kelsey, was a New York legislator.

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