Israel Thompson HATCH, Congress, NY (1808-1875)

HATCH Israel Thompson , a Representative from New York; born in Johnstown, Fulton County, N.Y., June 30, 1808; pursued preparatory studies; was graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., in 1829; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1828; moved to Buffalo the same year and practiced law; assistant secretary of state 1829-1831; practiced law in Buffalo 1831-1840; member of the State assembly 1833, 1834, and 1851; surrogate of Erie County 1833-1836; president of the Commercial Bank of Buffalo 1840-1842; grain merchant; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1857-March 3, 1859); chairman, Committee on Militia (Thirty-fifth Congress); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1858 to the Thirty-sixth Congress; appointed by President Buchanan as postmaster of Buffalo, N.Y., and served from November 11, 1859, to March 27, 1861; resumed the practice of law; also engaged in banking and was prominently connected with elevator and dock enterprises; member of the State constitutional convention 1867-1868; commissioner to negotiate a reciprocity treaty between the United States and the Dominion of Canada in 1869 and 1870; built the Marine and Empire elevators in Buffalo; died in Buffalo, N.Y., September 24, 1875; interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present