Henry R. Pierson


Henry Rufus Pierson was an American lawyer and politician from New [York |New York].

Life

He graduated from Union College in 1846. Then he studied law, first in Cherry [Valley, New York|Cherry Valley], then in New York City, was Admission to [the bar in the United States|admitted to the bar] in 1848, and practiced. In 1849, he moved to Brooklyn. He was an Alderman of Brooklyn from 1858 to 1860, and was President of the Board of Aldermen. He was President of the Brooklyn City Railroad from 1860 to 1869.
He was a member of the New York State Senate in 89th [New York State Legislature|1866] and New York State Legislature|1867]. In 1869, he went to Chicago as Financial Agent of the Chicago and [North Western Transportation Company|North Western Railroad], and was the company's vice president for two years.
In 1872, he moved to Albany, and was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1873. He was elected a Regent of the University of the State of New York, and was Vice Chancellor from 1878 to 1881, and Chancellor from 1881 until his death.
He died from the Russian flu at his home in Albany, and was buried at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.