Augustus Schell

Augustus Schell (August 1, 1812 – March 27, 1884) was a New York politician and lawyer. He was Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1872 to 1876.

Early life Schell was born on August 1, 1812, in Rhinebeck, New York. He was the son of Christian Schell (1779–1825), a merchant, and Elizabeth (née Hughes) Schell (1783–1866).

His paternal grandparents were Richard Schell and Anna (née Schultz) Schell. and then studied at Litchfield Law School.

Career He was admitted to the bar in 1833, he formed a firm (Slosson & Schell) with Slosson in 1842.

He was a director in many railroad and financial corporations, including the Harlem Railroad, Lake Shore and Michigan Central, and Hudson River Railroads as well as the Western Union Telegraph Company. He was also active in the management of philanthropic institutions, including 19 years as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the New-York Historical Society.

Political career An active Democrat, he joined Tammany Hall in 1852 where, after William M. Tweed's fall, he succeeded August Belmont, Sr. as Grand Sachem in 1870. He was head of the Democratic state committee from 1853 to 1856. In the 1852, he was proposed as the Democratic candidate for Governor of New York, although he lost the nomination to Horatio Seymour, who was elected Governor.

He was chairman of the Democratic National Committee that supported John C. Breckinridge for the presidency in 1860 and also from 1872 to 1876, where he managed Horace Greeley's presidential campaign. In 1878, he was an unsuccessful candidate for mayor. At his death, he was worth several million dollars, but having had no children, he left all of his money to his nieces and nephews,

He died on March 27, 1884, from Bright's disease. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx.

Legacy Augustus Schell is the namesake of Schell City, Missouri, of which he was one of the original proprietors.