William C. Traphagen

William Conselyea Traphagen (November 29, 1837 – October 26, 1894) was an American lawyer and politician.

Early life Traphagen was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on November 29, 1837. He was the son of Henry Mackaness Traphagen (1809–1884) and Sarah ( Conselyea) Traphagen. His brother, Henry Traphagen, was the 19th Mayor of Jersey City, and his sister, Pheobe Traphagen, married Dr. Beriah Andrew Watson. His father, a wealthy and prominent citizen of Jersey City and leader in many important civic movements. ) and Henry Traphagen (son of Henry Traphagen, who was a trustee of Rutgers College in 1782). His first American ancestor was Willem Jansen Traphagen of Lemgo, County of Lippe, Westphalia, who came to New Amsterdam in 1647.

He was educated at Rutgers College, graduating in 1858.

Career Traphagen became an attorney and practiced law in New York City for several years, living at 14 East 63rd Street. A Democrat, he was elected to the New York State Senate to represent the 10th Senatorial District, New York City, in 1886, and serving one term in the 109th and 110th New York State Legislatures. While in the Senate, he was a member of the Committees on Commerce, Navigation, Insurance, Privileges and Elections, and Engrossed Bills. Together, they were the parents of: John Stevenson Maxwell Traphagen (1876–1883), who died young. Carrie Traphagen (1878–1880), who died young. John Conselyea Traphagen (1889–1979), who married Janet Voorhis, a daughter of Margaret ( McAdam) Voorhis and Augustus Marvin Voorhis, a president of the Nyack National Bank, in 1920. Her grandfather, William Voorhis, was a member of the New York State Assembly for Rockland County and served as Commodore of the Atlantic Yacht Club. Maxwell Eustace Traphagen (1890–1934), who married Sarah Neilson Stearns of Philadelphia.

Traphagen died of Bright's disease at his home in Nyack on October 26, 1894. After a funeral at his Nyack residence, he was buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.