Napoleon Bonaparte GIDDINGS, Congress, NE (1816-1897)

GIDDINGS Napoleon Bonaparte , a Delegate from the Territory of Nebraska; born near Boonsborough, Clark County, Ky., January 2, 1816; moved with his parents to Fayette, Howard County, Mo., in 1828; attended the common schools; during the Texas war of independence enlisted in the army in 1836 and became sergeant major of his regiment; when Texas had gained her independence he was appointed chief clerk in the auditor's office of the Republic of Texas; served as acting auditor until his resignation in 1838; returned to Fayette, Mo., studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1841 and commenced practice in Fayette, Mo.; commissioned as captain of Company A, Second Regiment, Missouri Mounted Volunteers, in the Mexican War July 22, 1846, and served until March 3, 1847; edited the Union Flag in Franklin County, Mo.; went to California and engaged in gold mining; returned to Missouri, settled in Savannah, and practiced law; moved to Nebraska City, Nebr., and continued the practice of law; when the Territory of Nebraska was formed was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress and served from January 5, to March 3, 1855; was not a candidate for renomination in 1854; resumed the practice of law in Savannah, Mo.; was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Fifty-first Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served from April 11, 1865, to August 31, 1865, when he was honorably discharged; died in Savannah, Mo., August 3, 1897; interment in the City Cemetery.

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