Philemon DICKERSON, Congress, NJ (1788-1862)

DICKERSON Philemon , a Representative from New Jersey; born in Succasunna, Morris County, N.J., January 11, 1788; pursued classical studies, and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 1808; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1813 and commenced practice in Paterson, N.J., the same year; admitted as a counselor in 1817; member of the State general assembly from Essex County in 1821 and 1822; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Congresses and served from March 4, 1833, until November 3, 1836, when he resigned, having been chosen Governor by the legislature; served as Governor and ex officio chancellor from November 3, 1836, to October 27, 1837; appointed sergeant at law in 1834, being the last person in New Jersey to hold that title; elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1839-March 3, 1841); unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the Twenty-seventh Congress; appointed judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on March 2, 1841, and served until his death; president of the city council of Paterson, N.J., in 1851; died in Paterson, N.J., December 10, 1862; interment in Cedar Lawn Cemetery.

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