Background
Paddock, Algernon Sidney was born on November 9, 1830 in Glens Falls, New York, United States. Son of Ira A. and Lucinda (Wells) Paddock.
politician United States senator
Paddock, Algernon Sidney was born on November 9, 1830 in Glens Falls, New York, United States. Son of Ira A. and Lucinda (Wells) Paddock.
Attended Union College, Schenectady, New New York
Algernon lived in upstate New York until the age of 27, attending Glens Falls Academy and Union College, teaching school and studying law. He visited a brother in Detroit, Michigan for three months after college, but then returned to New New York Settling in Omaha In 1857, Paddock left New York and settled in Omaha, Nebraska, where he started a farm and a law practice.
He unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Nebraska Territory house of representatives in 1858.
He helped edit the newspaper "Nebraska Republican" from 1858 to 1859. He attended a territorial convention in 1859 and the Republican Convention as a delegate in 1860.
In 1860 he campaigned heavily for Abraham Lincoln in Nebraska and New New York In 1861, Paddock was appointed by Lincoln as secretary of the Nebraska Territory.
He held that position until Nebraska became a state in 1867.
He also served as acting governor in 1861. When Nebraska became a state, he ran for seats in both the United States House and United States Senate, but lost. President Andrew Johnson offered him the position of governor of Wyoming Territory, but Paddock declined that position.
Marriage In 1869, Paddock married Emma Mack, and they had several children.
Utah Territory Commission In 1882, Paddock became part of a commission which set up elections in Utah Territory. He used this position to try to discourage the practice of polygamy in Utah.
He served another 6-year term, from 1887 to 1893, during which he was chairman of two committees. In 1891 he introduced an unsuccessful bill to regulate certain food production for safety reasons.
After his death, similar and more extensive laws on this issue were passed.
Later life After retiring from the Senate in 1893, Paddock returned to Beatrice, where he engaged in brokerage business until his death. After he died Paddock was interred at Prospect Hill Cemetery in North Omaha. Algernon is the namesake of Paddock, Holt County, Nebraska.
He became an important member of the community, immediately entering politics as a member of the United States Republican Party in which he would be active for the rest of his life. He was a member of the commission until 1886, when he was again elected to the United States Senate from Nebraska.
Married Emma Mack, December 22, 1859, 5 children.