He served as district attorney of Otsego County from 1841 until he moved to Kingston in 1847.

He served on committees on the District of Columbia, Revolutionary Pensions and the Pacific Railroad.

While descending Hone Street, his horse was startled, crashing his carriage against an awning post, against which Steele was thrown before falling to the ground.

He suffered a cracked skull, broken ribs and other internal injuries and died later that day.

[1] This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress