Background
He was born at the Van Rensselaer Manor House in Albany as the son of Catherine Livingston (1745–1810) and her second husband Eilardus Westerlo.
United States representative politician
He was born at the Van Rensselaer Manor House in Albany as the son of Catherine Livingston (1745–1810) and her second husband Eilardus Westerlo.
Graduate Columbia, 1795. Studied law.
They were also the parents of Catherine Westerlo, the wife of John Woodworth. Rensselaer Westerlo graduated from Columbia College in New York City in 1795. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced.
Westerlo was active in the militia, and served as an aide to Stephen Van Rensselaer and commander of a cavalry regiment in the War of 1812. In 1818 he became commander of New York's 3rd Cavalry Brigade with the rank of Brigadier General. Westerlo was elected as a Federalist to the Fifteenth Congress (March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1819).
He was not a candidate for reelection and resumed the practice of law. He died in Albany on April 18, 1851 and was interred at Albany Rural Cemetery.
Member United States Ho.