R. Holland Duell

R. Holland Duell
United States Commissioner of Patents
In office October 1, 1875 – January 30, 1877
Chairman of the Committee on Expenditures on Public Buildings
In office 1873–1875
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York
In office March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1875
Preceded by	Dennis McCarthy
Succeeded by	William H. Baker
Constituency	23rd district (1871–73) 24th district (1873–75)
In office March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1863
Preceded by	Henry Bennett
Succeeded by	Francis Kernan
Constituency	21st district
Chairman of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims
In office 1861–1863
Judge of Cortland County, New York
In office 1855–1859
District attorney of Cortland County, New York
In office 1850–1855
Personal details
Born	(1824-12-20)December 20, 1824 Warren, New York, U.S.
Died	February 11, 1891(1891-02-11) (aged 66) Cortland, New York, U.S.
Resting place	Cortland Rural Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Mary L. Cuyler
Children	2
Signature

Rodolphus (sometimes Robert) Holland Duell (December 20, 1824 – February 11, 1891) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was elected to Congress and became United States Commissioner of Patents.

Life

Duell was born in Warren, Herkimer County, New York. He completed preparatory studies and subsequently studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1845 and commenced practice in Fabius. He married Mary L. Cuyler (1822–1894), and they had two children: Louise C. Duell (1848–1872) and Judge Charles Holland Duell (1850–1920).

Duell moved to Cortland in 1847, and was district attorney of Cortland County from 1850 to 1855. He was Judge of Cortland County from 1855 to 1859.

Duell was elected as a Republican to the 36th and 37th United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1859, to March 3, 1863; during the 37th Congress, he was Chairman of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. He resumed the practice of law in Cortland and was Assessor of Internal Revenue for the 23rd District of New York from 1869 to 1871.

He was elected to the 42nd and 43rd United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1871, to March 3, 1875. During the 43rd Congress he was Chairman of the Committee on Expenditures on Public Buildings. Duell was appointed as United States Commissioner of Patents by President Ulysses S. Grant on October 1, 1875, and remained in office until January 30, 1877. He resumed the practice of law in Cortland, where he died in 1891; interment was in Cortland Rural Cemetery.

Sources

• United States Congress. "R. Holland Duell (id: D000513)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Sackett family

External links

• R. Holland Duell at Find a Grave

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Henry Bennett	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 21st congressional district 1859–1863	Succeeded by Francis Kernan
Preceded by Dennis McCarthy	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 23rd congressional district 1871–1873	Succeeded by William E. Lansing
Preceded by John E. Seeley	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 24th congressional district 1873–1875	Succeeded by William H. Baker