"(October 30, 1829 -- April 18, 1888) Roscoe Conkling was a lawyer, mayor, and American politician. Conkling was born in Albany, New York. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1850. He was a district attorney for Oneida County in 1850 and a mayor of Utica in 1858. He also declined to accept a nomination to the United States Supreme Court in 1882. Conkling was elected as a Republican to the 36th, 37th, 39th, and 40th Congresses (March 4, 1859 - March 3, 1863 and March 4, 1865 - March 4, 1867) until he resigned to become a Senator. During his time on the house, he served as chairman on the Committee on District of Columbia (37th Congress) and was not a successful candidate in 1862. Conkling was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate and reelected in 1873 and 1879 (March 4, 1867 - May 16, 1881), until he resigned as a protest against federal appointments made in the New York State. He was not successful for reelection to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by his own resignation. During his time on the senate he served as Chairman on the Committee on Revision of the Laws of the United States (40th - 43rd Congresses), Committee on Commerce (44th, 45th, and 47th Congresses), and Committee on Engrossed Bills (46th and 47th Congresses). [Source: 'Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1774 - Present', available at https://bioguideretro.congress.gov/Home/MemberDetails?memIndex=C000681]"