Orsamus Benajah Matteson was born on August 28, 1805, in a log cabin in Verona, New York.

He attended the common schools and studied law in Utica, New York, alongside Horatio Seymour and was admitted to the bar in 1830.

[1] He resigned on February 27, 1857,[1] just before a recommendation of censure could be passed by the House for allegations of bribery and corruption concerning a Minnesota land bill.

[1] He was interested in a scheme for the construction of the St. Mary's Ship Canal and he engaged in lumbering and iron manufacturing and in the acquisition of large tracts of land.

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