José Manuel Gallegos

José Manuel Gallegos ( born October 30, 1815 in Abiquiu, Mexico, † April 21, 1875 in Santa Fe ) was an American politician. Between 1853 and 1856, and 1871-1873 he represented as a delegate, the New Mexico Territory in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early years and career

Born on the territory of the later Rio Arriba County, José Manuel Gallegos attended the schools of his home, which was then still part of Mexico. He then studied theology until 1840 at the College of Durango. Between 1843 and 1846 he was a deputy in the local parliament of the Mexican province, and later the New Mexico Territory emerged from the. Following the transfer of the province to the United States Gallegos was a member of the first government of the new territory.

Political career

In 1853 he was elected as a member of the Democratic Party as a delegate for the New Mexico Territory in the U.S. House of Representatives. There he took over from the March 4, 1853 Richard Hanson Weightman. Two years later he was appointed in this position. However, the outcome of this election by Miguel Otero was challenged. After this appeal was upheld, Gallegos had to give up on Otero his mandate on 23 July 1856.

Between 1860 and 1862 was José Gallegos deputy and president in the territorial House of Representatives from New Mexico. In 1862 he ran unsuccessfully for a return to Washington. In the same year he was arrested by troops of the Confederate States and declared a prisoner of war. Between 1865 and 1866 Gallegos officiated as treasurer of the New Mexico Territory. In 1866 he was head of Indian affairs ( Superintendent of Indian Affairs ). In the congressional elections of 1870, he was re-elected as a delegate to Congress. There he was able to complete a more legislative period between March 4, 1871, and March 3, 1873. In 1872, he defeated Republican Stephen Benton Elkins.

José Gallegos died in April 1875 in Santa Fe and was buried in the local Catholic cemetery.