Ambrose S. Murray

Ambrose Spencer Murray (November 27, 1807 – November 9, 1885) was an American businessman and politician from New York. He is best known for his service as a U.S. Representative from New York. Murray was a native of Wallkill, New York, and attended the local schools. He worked for several years as a clerk in his uncle's Middletown, New York store, then moved to Goshen, New York to begin a career in banking and business. He became the president of the Orange County Bank in 1845, and served until his death. Murray was also active in other businesses, including serving on the board of directors for several railroads and financial institutions. As an opponent of slavery, Murray became active in politics as a Whig, and migrated to the Opposition Party and then the Republican Party as the abolition movement coalesced. He served as Orange County Treasurer from 1848 to 1851. In 1854, Murray ran successfully for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was reelected in 1856, and served from 1855 to 1859. His tenure was noted for his continued opposition to slavery. In 1856, he was one of the two Congressmen who came to the aid of Senator Charles Sumner when Representative Preston Brooks committed his attack on Sumner on the floor of the U.S. Senate.