George Armstrong Halsey (December 7, 1827 – April 1, 1894) was a 19th-century American Republican Party politician and leather manufacturer from New Jersey, who served two non-consecutive terms representing New Jersey's 5th congressional district.

George A. Halsey
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 5th district
In office
March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869
Preceded byEdwin R. V. Wright
Succeeded byOrestes Cleveland
In office
March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873
Preceded byOrestes Cleveland
Succeeded byWilliam Walter Phelps
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office
1861–1862
Personal details
Born
George Armstrong Halsey

December 7, 1827
Springfield Township, USA
DiedApril 1, 1894 (aged 66)
Newark, USA
Resting placeMount Pleasant Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
ProfessionPolitician, leather manufacturer

Early life and education

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Born in Springfield Township, New Jersey, his parents were Samuel and Mary Halsey (née Hutchings).[1] Halsey attended local schools as a child and later Springfield Academy.

Career

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In 1840 Armstrong moved to Newark, New Jersey, where his father engaged in the leather business.[1] In 1846, at age 19, he entered the firm which was called Samuel Halsey & Sons even after the death of his father.[1]

He was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly in 1861 and 1862, and was United States assessor of internal revenue,[1] from 1862 to 1866.[citation needed] He was offered, but declined, the post of Register of the Treasury.[1]

Halsey was elected a Republican to the United States House of Representatives in 1866, serving from 1867 to 1869, being unsuccessful for reelection in 1868. He was later elected back in 1870, serving again from 1871 to 1873, not being a candidate for renomination in 1872. There, he served as chairman of the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds from 1871 to 1873.

Afterwards, he resumed former manufacturing pursuits and was president of and insurance company.

Death and burial

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Halsey died in Newark, New Jersey, on April 1, 1894, of pneumonia.[1]

A large number of prominent men attended his funeral, including United States Senator James Smith Jr., and many state political leaders.[2]

Halsey was interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Newark.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "George A. Halsey Dead. He Was a Useful and Highly Esteemed Citizen and Lifelong Republican". The Morris County Chronicle. Morristown, New Jersey. April 7, 1894. Retrieved February 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "FUNERAL OF GEORGE A. HALSEY. Many Prominent Men Pay Tribute to the Ex-Congressman". The New York Times. April 6, 1894. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 5th congressional district

March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's 5th congressional district

March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican Nominee for Governor of New Jersey
1874
Succeeded by