Gilbert De La Matyr


Gilbert De La Matyr was an American cleric and politician from New York and Indiana, serving one term in the United States [House of Representatives | U.S. House] from 1879 to 1881.

Life

He graduated from a theological course of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1854 and became an itinerant elder. He served as member of the General Conference in 1868, and for one term was Presiding Elder.

Civil War

During the American Civil War, he helped enlist the New York [Heavy Artillery">New York (state)">New York [Heavy Artillery Regiment] in 1862, and was its chaplain for three years.

Political career

In 1867 he ran on the Republican Party|Republican] ticket for New York [State Prison Inspector] but was defeated by Democrat Solomon Scheu.
After holding pastorates in several large cities he settled in Indianapolis, Indiana, and continued his ministerial duties. Here, De La Matyr was elected as a National Greenback candidate to the 46th [United States Congress] and served from March 4, 1879, to March 3, 1881.

Later career and death

He moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1881 and again engaged in preaching. There, he became pastor of Evans Chapel in 1886 helped organized the construction of an expanded sanctuary named Grace Church. From 1889 on, he was Pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Akron, Ohio.