William Hotchkiss (assemblyman)

William Hotchkiss was an American attorney, judge, and politician. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1820 to 1821.

William Hotchkiss
Member of the New York State Assembly
In office June 30, 1820 – June 30, 1821
Preceded by	Elial T. Foote Oliver Forward
Personal details
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician

Biography

Hotchkiss was from Niagara County and an attorney by trade. He built a home in the 1820s, known as the Long House, and his office was in a building known as the Short House. It was a center of social activity following the War of 1812.^[1]

Hotchkiss was the First Judge of the Niagara County Court (1818–1823). He served in the 44th New York State Legislature from June 30, 1820, to June 30, 1821, alongside Jediah Prendergast. They succeeded Elial Foote and Oliver Forward. The district represented Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Niagara Counties.^[2][3]

In 1824, he ran for Congress, but was defeated by Daniel G. Garnsey.

Electoral history

1820 New York State Assembly election
Cattaraugus, Chautauque, and Niagara Counties^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Clintonian	William Hotchkiss	2,444
	Clintonian	Jediah Prendergast	2,442
		Samuel Russell	2,055
		Timothy H. Porter	2,047

References

1. "The Long and the Short House Historical Marker".
2. The Chautauqua History Company (1904). "The Centennial History of Chautauqua County A Detailed and Entertaining Story of One Hundred Years of Development Volume 1". The Chautauqua History Company. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
3. Chautauqua County Board of Supervisors (1868). Abstract of the Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Chautauqua. The Board. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
4. "New York 1820 Assembly, Cattaraugus, Chautauque and Niagara Counties". A New Nation Votes: American Election Returns 1787 - 1825. Tufts Archival Research Center. Retrieved May 1, 2023.