Representative Stephen Strong

Stephen Strong (October 11, 1791 – April 15, 1866) was an American lawyer, jurist, and Democratic politician who served one term as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1845 to 1847. His congressional service took place during a significant period in American history, and he participated actively in the legislative process while representing the interests of his New York constituents.

Strong was born on October 11, 1791, in Lebanon, Connecticut. He was the son of Adonijah Strong (1760–1815), a farmer and veteran of the American Revolutionary War who fought at the Battle of Yorktown, and Hepzibah (née Bliss) Strong. He grew up in a large family that included several siblings, among them Bela William Strong, a lawyer who died in a duel in 1815; Lucy Strong; and two sisters named Abigail—one his twin, who died in infancy, and another Abigail who survived and later married Daniel C. Shearman. In his youth, Strong moved from Connecticut to New York, where he would spend the remainder of his life and career.

Strong pursued his education at Oneida Academy in Clinton, New York, an institution that later became Hamilton College. After completing his studies there, he read law and prepared for a legal career. He was admitted to the bar in 1822 and began the practice of law in New York. Over time, he gained a reputation as an eminent advocate, noted less for technical legal scholarship than for his tact, ingenuity, and resourcefulness in managing cases. Contemporaries praised his “inspiring and magnetic powers of eloquent speech,” which were regarded as more powerful than polished oratory and contributed to his standing at the bar.

Strong’s public career in New York centered on Tioga County, where he held a series of important legal and judicial offices. He first served as district attorney of Tioga County from 1836 to 1838. In 1838, he was appointed judge of Tioga County, a position he held until 1843. He then returned to the office of district attorney, serving again from 1844 to 1847. Through these roles he became a prominent figure in the local legal community, balancing prosecutorial responsibilities with judicial duties and private practice.

In national politics, Strong was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-ninth Congress, serving as a U.S. Representative from New York from March 4, 1845, to March 3, 1847. As a member of the Democratic Party, he contributed to the legislative process during a time marked by debates over territorial expansion and national policy. During his single term in the House of Representatives, he served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of State, overseeing and reviewing the financial administration of that executive department. His service in Congress reflected his broader commitment to public affairs and the representation of his district’s interests in Washington.

After Ausburn Birdsall succeeded him in the House of Representatives, Strong returned to New York and resumed the practice of law in Owego, Tioga County. He continued to play a significant role in the local judiciary, serving once more as judge of Tioga County from 1855 to 1859. His long tenure in various county offices underscored his influence in regional legal matters and his continued engagement in public service well into the mid-nineteenth century.

Strong’s personal life was marked by two marriages, both later in his life and both to widows with established families. On July 10, 1838, he married Abigail (née Whittlesey) Camp (1777–1858), the widow of William Camp, who had been Strong’s law partner. She was the daughter of Capt. Asaph Whittlesey, who was killed in the Battle of Wyoming during the Revolutionary era, and a descendant of Governor Thomas Dudley of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Following Abigail’s death in 1858, Strong married Roxanna Bush (1789–1883) on June 19, 1861. She was the widow of Norris M. Woodruff, a hardware merchant, and the eldest child of Eli Bush and Roxanna (née Terry) Bush. Although Strong had no children of his own, he was reportedly revered by the children of both of his wives, who regarded him with affection and respect.

In 1861, coinciding with his second marriage, Strong moved to Watertown, New York, where he continued to practice law during his final years. He remained professionally active until his health declined. Stephen Strong died in Watertown on April 15, 1866. He was interred at Brookside Cemetery in Watertown, New York, closing a long career as a lawyer, local judge, district attorney, and one-term member of the United States House of Representatives.