Aaron Vanderpoel

Aaron Vanderpoel (February 5, 1799 - July 18, 1870) was a U.S. Representative from New York.

Born in Kinderhook, New York, Vanderpoel pursued classical studies, and later studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1820 and commenced practice in Kinderhook, New York. He served as member of the New York State Assembly, 1826-1830.

Vanderpoel was elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1833-March 3, 1837). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1836 to the Twenty-fifth Congress.

Vanderpoel was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1839-March 3, 1841). He retired from Congress and settled in New York City. He served as judge of the superior court 1842-1850. He died in New York City July 18, 1870. He was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery.

He married first on 3 Sep 1821 a Harriet Baldwin, secondly on 2 Apr 1839 a Ellen McBride.

(VII) Judge Aaron Van der Poel was the sixth and last child of Isaac Van der Poel and Moyca Huyck. He was born in Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York, February 5, 1799, and died in New York City, July 18, 1870.

In 1811, he went to live with his older brother, Judge James Van der Poel, in the same village, and there began his classical studies, continuing them under Levi Gleason, a celebrated teacher in his day. He took up the study of law in 1816 in his brother's office, and was admitted to the bar in 1820, at the time of his coming of age. Thereupon he formed a professional connection with his brother, the firm of young and energetic lawyers meeting with success. He took considerable interest in politics, and was active as a Democrat. In 1824 he was elected to the assembly, and again in 1828 and 1829. John Van Buren was at this time a student in his office, and later married his niece.

In 1832 he was elected to the twenty-third session of congress, and received endorsement of his efforts by re-election to the twenty-fourth and twenty-sixth, the years being 1832, 1834, and 1838 that he served in Washington. This was during a period of unexampled interest ad excitement, throughout which he was a firm supporter of the administration, having the full confidence of Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren, for of both of whom he was a warm personal as well as political friend, the latter president coming from his home town, Kinderhook. This can be verified more fully by reference to the files of the congressional debates. After his third congressional term he resumed the practice of law in New York, where his ability won for him high honor at the bar and great respect amongst his confreres. He was appointed a justice of the superior court of New York City in 1843, was reelected in 1847, and served until January 1, 1850, in all for seven years. The first and second volumes of Sandford's Superior Court Records contain many of his opinions and judgments.

He was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, as had been his ancestors for generations back to the time of their coming to this country; but later was a member of St. George's Episcopal Church in New York City. He traveled abroad, following his marriage, and on returning built his house at No. 114 East Sixteenth Street.

Judge Aaron Van der Poel married (first), September 3, 1821, Harriet Baldwin, who died in April, 1837, without issue. He married (second), April 2, 1839, Ellen McBride, who was born in New York City, August 14, 1815, and died there December 26, 1891. She was the daughter of James McBride and Hannah Savage, the latter born in Spencertown, New York.

Children, born in New York City:

• 1. James McBride, born August 2, 1840, died there, December 27, 1860.
• 2. John A., born August 22, 1842, died there, April 12, 1866 (see forward).
• 3. Aaron Ernest, born February 20, 1846, died there, September 26, 1898.
• http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/historical/southernnewyork/s_ny_27.htm

• KAF, 220: One of Marie's sisters married the well known lawyer, Judge Aaron Vanderpoel of New York. While in Congress, Mr. Vanderpoel was one day called the “Kinderhook Roarer," which, as often happens, clung to him through life. When I was taken to see him as a child, I remember him as the mildest of white-haired old men, and much interested in Charles' little girl. The family now spell their name in various ways as regards capitals. Another sister, Catherine, married James Bruen of Newark, New Jersey, a brother of Matthias of New York. One of her aunts, Laura Waldron, was the wife of the English Minister to France. Jesse Baldwin was an importing merchant, silks and wines, doing business at 161 Broadway, living at Newark.