John G. Floyd

John Gelston Floyd (February 5, 1806 – October 5, 1881) was a U.S. Representative from New York, grandson of William Floyd.

Life and career

Floyd was born in Mastic near Moriches, Long Island, New York, the son of Phoebe (Gelston) and Nicoll Floyd. Floyd attended the common schools, and was graduated from Hamilton College, Clinton, New York, in 1824. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1825, and commenced practice in Utica, New York. He served as clerk and prosecuting attorney of Utica, New York from 1829 to 1833. He founded the Utica Democrat (later the Observer-Dispatch) in 1836. He was appointed judge of Suffolk County.

Floyd was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1843). He returned to Mastic, Long Island, about 1842. He was a member of the New York State Senate (1st D.) in 1848 and 1849.

Floyd was elected to the Thirty-second Congress (March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853). He served as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture (Thirty-second Congress). He joined the Republican Party upon its formation in 1856. He retired from public life. He died in Mastic, Long Island, New York on October 5, 1881. He was interred in the family cemetery.

John G. Floyd is a great-great-grandfather of Republican Governor, and 2020 Presidential candidate Bill Weld.