Education
As a youth, De Witt attended the public schools of Brooklyn, a select school at Saugerties, and the local academy at Kingston. He was graduated from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1858, where he studied law.
United States representative lawyer politician
As a youth, De Witt attended the public schools of Brooklyn, a select school at Saugerties, and the local academy at Kingston. He was graduated from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1858, where he studied law.
De Witt was admitted to the bar in 1858 and commenced practice in Kingston, New New York Principal of New Paltz Academy (later a State normal school) in 1861 and 1862. He served as district attorney of Ulster County 1863–1870.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection.
De Witt was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-third Congress (March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875). He was not a candidate for renomination.
He resumed the practice of law and also engaged in literary pursuits. Corporation counsel of Kingston in 1884.
Surrogate of Ulster County from November 20, 1885, to December 31, 1886.
He again engaged in the practice of law. He died in Kingston, New York, June 23, 1912. He was interred in Wiltwyck Rural Cemetery.
From 1878 to 1881, he served as assistant corporation counsel of Brooklyn, New York He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Ulster Company, 2nd Doctorate) in 1883.