WALBRIDGE, Hiram, lawyer, born in Ithaca, New York, 2 February, 1821; died in New York city, 6 December, 1870. He removed to Ohio with his parents at an early age, was educated at the university of that state, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1842, was elected colonel of militia the same year, and in 1843 he was appointed brigadier-general. With others he formed a plan to establish four newspapers in Texas, to advocate the independence of that country, and to create an anti-annexation sentiment, but the annexation of Texas rendered their enterprise futile, and Walbridge returned to Toledo, whence he removed to New York in 1847 to engage in commercial transactions. He was elected to congress as a Democrat, serving from 5 December, 1853, till 3 March, 1855, and advocating a Pacific railroad bill and the introduction of a bill to regulate the militia of the seas, which attracted public attention. He was a personal friend of President Lincoln, and during the war he frequently addressed the boards of trade in western cities, advocating a support of the government. He was vice-president of the National commercial convention at Chicago, and subsequently presided at similar conventions in Detroit and Louisville. At these meetings he advocated free banking, a reduction of taxation, and the development of the resources of the west.--His brother, HENRY S. (1809-1869), served in congress as a Whig from 1 December, 1851, till 3 March, 1853, and was a judge of the supreme court of New York. He was killed in a railroad accident in the Bergen tunnel, near Hoboken, New Jersey