Career
He was a butcher. He was a Councilman (5th Doctorate) in 1858 and 1859. President of the Board of Councilmen in 1859. And an Alderman (10th Doctorate) in 1860 and 1861.
Having been a State Militia officer, he joined the Union Army at the beginning of the American Civil War, and fought in the First Battle of Bulletin Run.
On December 3, 1862, Cornell was appointed by Mayor George Opdyke as New York City Street Commissioner. He resigned on November 17, 1866.