Prosper Wetmore
American legislator and writer
About Prosper Wetmore
Lived 1798 – 1876 (aged 78). Prosper Wetmore was an American.
Prosper Montgomery Wetmore (February 14, 1798 - March 16, 1876) was a legislator, writer and general in the New York State militia.
Early life Wetmore was born in 1798, in what is now Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Robert William Wetmore and Amelia (née Hubbard) Wetmore.
Career He was instrumental in organizing the 7th regiment of National Guards in 1825 though he was forced to resign in 1827 due to some bad business dealings which "had resulted disastrously to his interest, and very prejudicially to his character." He was subsequently appointed its paymaster general, a job he held until 1841. He served in the State of New York legislature as one of the Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1834 and 1835. He also served as director for the New York Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb.
In 1861, he became one of the founding members of the Union Defense Committee of New York City, serving as appointed secretary to the Executive Committee during the American Civil War. He also served as the Connecticut representative to the New England Soldiers' Relief Association.
Wetmore wrote for print frequently. He authored a book of poetry, Lexington, with other fugitive poems, about the battle of Lexington, and edited and wrote the prologue to the Deaf poet James Nack's book Earl Rupert, and other tales and poems.
Personal life He was married to Lucy Ann Ogsbury (1802–1879) and they had twelve children. Cornelia Roxanna Wetmore (1826–1886). Who married Frantz Bulow Muller. Frances Lucy Wetmore (1827–1901). Who married George Tredwell, nephew of Seabury Tredwell. Georgiana T Wetmore (1828–1852) Caroline A Wetmore (1829–1852) Prosper Montgomery Wetmore Jr (1832–1857) Elizabeth Newton Wetmore (1837–1871). Who married John Drake Skidmore. Louisa Lawrence Wetmore (1840–1890). Who married John Jay White. Her granddaughter was the first wife of Walter Lispenard Suydam's son Sarah Rice Wetmore (1843–1852) Charles Hubbell Wetmore (1846–1916) Emily Montgomery Wetmore (1845–1904) Alice Campbell Wetmore 1847–1879 Edward Augsburgh Wetmore (1849–1888)
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Important facts
People in Prosper Wetmore's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Prosper Wetmore's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Prosper Wetmore?
American legislator and writer (1798–1876)
When was Prosper Wetmore born?
Prosper Wetmore was born on 14 February 1798 in Bridgeport.
When did Prosper Wetmore die?
Prosper Wetmore died on 16 March 1876 in Great Neck, NY.
What nationality was Prosper Wetmore?
Prosper Wetmore was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Prosper Wetmore. https://biography.guide/prosper-wetmore/
MLA: "Prosper Wetmore." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/prosper-wetmore/.
Chicago: "Prosper Wetmore." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/prosper-wetmore/.
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