Richard VAUX, Congress, PA (1816-1895)

VAUX Richard , a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Philadelphia, Pa., December 19, 1816; educated by private tutors at the Friends Select School in Philadelphia and Bolmar's French School, Westchester, Pa.; studied law and was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia in 1837; secretary of legation under Andrew Stevenson, United States Minister to Great Britain, for one year; returned to Philadelphia in 1839; member of the State house of representatives in 1839; delegate to the Democratic State convention in 1840; commenced the practice of law in Philadelphia in 1840; recorder of deeds of Philadelphia 1842-1849; appointed by the State supreme court as inspector of the State penitentiary for the eastern district of Pennsylvania in 1842, and served as secretary and later as president of the board of inspectors until his death; unsuccessful candidate for mayor of Philadelphia in 1842, 1845, and 1854; elected mayor of Philadelphia in 1856; member of the board of city trusts 1859-1866, serving as president 1863-1865; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Samuel J. Randall and served from May 20, 1890, to March 3, 1891; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1890 to the Fifty-second Congress; died in Philadelphia, Pa., March 22, 1895; interment in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

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