Biography

HALSTEAD, William, a Representative from New Jersey; born in Elizabeth, N.J., June 4, 1794; was graduated from Princeton College in 1812; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1816 and commenced practice in Trenton, N.J.; appointed State supreme court reporter November 23, 1821, and served until 1832; published seven volumes of Halstead’s Law Reports; prosecuting attorney of Hunterdon County 1824-1829 and 1833-1837; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1837-March 3, 1839); presented credentials as a Member-elect to the Twenty-sixth Congress but the House declined to seat him; elected to the Twenty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1841-March 3, 1843); chairman, Committee on Elections (Twenty-seventh Congress); appointed by President Taylor United States district attorney for New Jersey and served from 1849 to 1853; raised the First Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry of New Jersey for the Civil War and served as colonel until February 18, 1862; retired from public life and died in Trenton, Mercer County, N.J., March 4, 1878; interment in Riverview Cemetery.

Married Frances Bostwick
Parents are Nancy Spencer and Caleb Halstead