Martin G. Schuneman Explained

Martin G. Schuneman
State:New York
Term Start:March 4, 1805
Term End:March 3, 1807
Predecessor:Josiah Hasbrouck
Successor:Barent Gardenier
Office2:Member of the New York State Assembly
Term Start2:1798
Term End2:1800
Birth Name:Martin Gerretsen Schuneman
Birth Date:10 February 1764
Birth Place:Catskill, Province of New York, British America
Death Place:Catskill, New York, U.S.
Resting Place:Old Cemetery, Leeds, New York, U.S.
Nationality:American
Party:Democratic-Republican
Profession:Politician, judge, businessman

Martin Gerretsen Schuneman (February 10, 1764  - February 21, 1827) was a United States representative from New York.[1]

Born in Catskill, he was educated by his father, a clergyman. Town histories recount that Schuneman was well known in upstate New York because of his imposing physique; he was six feet three inches tall, and weighed nearly 300 pounds.

In 1792 he was appointed a justice of the peace for Albany County, which then included Catskill. He operated a successful general store, and owned an inn in Madison, now called Leeds, as well as gristmills and other business ventures.[2]

He was Catskill's Town Supervisor in 1797, 1799, and 1802. He was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1798 to 1800 when Catskill was part of Ulster County.[3] [4] He was a delegate from newly formed Greene County to the State constitutional convention in 1801, and represented a Greene County district in the Assembly in 1802.[5]

In 1804 he was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Ninth Congress,[6] holding office from March 4, 1805, to March 3, 1807.

He resumed his former business pursuits and died in Catskill on February 21, 1827. He was buried at the Old Cemetery in Leeds.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SCHUNEMAN, Martin Gerretsen, (1764 - 1827) . Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . 23 October 2019.
  2. Web site: Reminiscences of Leeds John Vedder, M. D. Saugerties, Jan. 1, 1898 . . 23 October 2019.
  3. Web site: New York 1798 Assembly, Ulster County . A New Nation Votes - American Election Returns 1787-1825 . 23 October 2019.
  4. Web site: New York 1799 Assembly, Ulster County . A New Nation Votes - American Election Returns 1787-1825 . 23 October 2019.
  5. Web site: New York 1802 Assembly, Greene County . A New Nation Votes - American Election Returns 1787-1825 . 23 October 2019.
  6. Web site: New York 1804 U.S. House of Representatives, District 7 . A New Nation Votes - American Election Returns 1787-1825 . 23 October 2019.