(December 16, 1795 — May 1, 1875) Thomas McKay Edwards, a Representative from New Hampshire; born in Keene, Cheshire County, N.H., December 16, 1795; tutored privately; was graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., in 1813; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1817 and commenced practice in Keene, N.H.; postmaster of Keene from June 30, 1818, to July 23, 1829; served in the State house of representatives in 1834, 1836, 1838, and 1839; abandoned his law practice in 1845 and superintended the construction of the Cheshire Railroad, serving as its first president; also served as president of a bank and a fire-insurance company; elected as a Republican to the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1859-March 3, 1863); was not a candidate for renomination in 1862 to the Thirty-eighth Congress; resumed his former business pursuits; died in Keene, N.H., May 1, 1875; interment in Woodlawn Cemetery. [Source: “Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774 - Present,” available at https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/E000081]