Herman Knickerbocker was an American lawyer and politician. He served as a Member of the U. S. House of Representatives from New York's 6th district from 1809 to 1811.
Background
Herman Knickerbocker was a great-great-grandson of one of the original Dutch colonists of New Amsterdam, Harmen Jansen Knickerbocker, who came to the new world about 1674 and in 1682 purchased a large tract of land nineteen miles north of Albany, New York. Harmen's grandson, Johannes (1723 - 1803), a colonel in the Revolutionary army, was the father of Johannes (or John, Jr. ) who married Elizabeth Winne, and to them was born a son Harmen, or Herman, on July 27, 1779 in Albany, New York, United States.
Education
Knickerbocker received a classical education, studied law under John Bird and John V. Henry and was admitted to the bar in 1803.
Career
In 1803 Knickerbocker started practice in Albany. He became senior partner in the law firm of Knickerbocker & Pierson, with an excellent practice. The wealth and social prominence of his family, combined with his own attractive personality and his ability, rapidly placed him among the foremost in his community. Inheriting great wealth, he moved from Albany to Schaghticoke, a part of his family estate just north of Troy. There he lived so perfectly the part of "lord of the manor, " dispensed hospitality with so lavish a hand, and showed himself so liberal in his charities, that he became widely known as "The Prince of Schaghticoke. "
Knickerbocker was town clerk in Troy, 1802-1804, and supervisor, 1805-1806. In 1809 he was elected as a Federalist to the Eleventh Congress (March 4, 1809 - March 3, 1811) but did not stand for reelection. During Jackson's administration he became a Democrat. During these years, too, he had taken an interest in the militia. In January 1801 a new troop of cavalry was raised in Rensselaer County in the 2nd Squadron of the 3rd Regiment of Cavalry, and Knickerbocker was made captain.
In 1810 he was promoted major, and in 1818 he was commissioned colonel.
On returning from Washington to his home community after his term in Congress, he again served as supervisor of the city of Troy in 1813, and followed this with a term in the state assembly in 1816. From 1818 to 1823, and again from 1825 to 1829 he served as supervisor. In 1828 he was listed as first judge of the court of common pleas for Rensselaer County and served as judge for many years. In 1844 he was chosen justice of the peace at the annual town meeting.
Achievements
Politics
Knickerbocker was at first a Federalist in politics, and later was identified with the Democrats.
Personality
Knickerbocker was a man of great charm, fine courtesy, and dignity, a worthy representative of one of the foremost families of New York state. He was a friend of Washington Irving, who, in introducing him on one occasion to President Madison in Washington, referred to him facetiously as "my cousin Diedrich Knickerbocker, the great historian of New York. " His cordiality, hospitality, love of good cheer, and many social graces endeared him to a wide circle of friends.
Connections
Knickerbocker was married three times: first to Ariantie, daughter of Abraham A. and Elsie (Van Rensselaer) Lansing, October 10, 1801; second, to Rachel, daughter of John Hermen and Cathaline (Van Benthuysen) Wendell, December 6, 1814; and third, to Mary, daughter of David and Rachel (McNeil) Buel, July 20, 1826. By his first wife he had five children; by his second wife five; and by his third wife four.