Richard Schell

Richard Schell (May 15, 1810 – November 10, 1879) was an American politician and businessman who represented New York in the United States House of Representatives from 1874 to 1875. A member of the Democratic Party, he served one term in Congress during a significant period in American history, participating in the legislative process and representing the interests of his New York constituents.

Schell was born in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, New York, on May 15, 1810. He was the son of Christian Schell (1779–1825), a merchant, and Elizabeth (née Hughes) Schell (1783–1866). His paternal grandparents were Richard Schell and Anna (née Schultz) Schell. He grew up in a family that would become prominent in New York’s commercial and political life; his brothers Augustus Schell (1812–1884), Robert Schell (1815–1900), and Edward Schell (1819–1893) were all well-known businessmen in New York City.

Schell completed preparatory studies in his youth and entered mercantile pursuits at an early age. In 1830 he moved from Rhinebeck to New York City, where he established himself as a wholesale dry-goods merchant. Over time he became closely connected with major figures in the city’s commercial and transportation sectors. Notably, he served as an agent and lobbyist for Cornelius Vanderbilt, one of the leading railroad and steamship magnates of the era, working to advance Vanderbilt’s business interests and transportation projects through legislative and regulatory channels. These activities placed Schell at the intersection of business and politics in mid-nineteenth-century New York.

Schell’s formal political career began at the state level. A Democrat, he was elected to the New York State Senate from the 6th District and served in 1858 and 1859. In the State Senate he participated in debates and legislation during a period marked by growing sectional tensions preceding the Civil War. His experience in Albany and his longstanding involvement in commercial affairs helped establish his reputation as an effective intermediary between business interests and government.

Schell was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative David B. Mellish. He represented New York in the United States House of Representatives from December 7, 1874, to March 3, 1875. During this single term in office, he contributed to the legislative process in the closing phase of the Reconstruction era, taking part in the democratic process and advocating for the concerns of his New York constituents. After the expiration of his term, he did not seek or hold further federal office and returned to his earlier commercial activities.

In his personal life, Schell married Helen Lott Jerome (1820–1890), the daughter of Aurora Murray (1785–1867) and Isaac Jerome (1786–1866). Through this marriage he was connected to one of New York’s notable families of the period. His wife was the sister of financier Leonard Jerome and the aunt of Jennie Jerome, who became Lady Randolph Churchill upon her marriage to Lord Randolph Churchill and was the mother of future British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. These family ties linked Schell indirectly to prominent transatlantic political and social circles.

After leaving Congress, Schell resumed his mercantile pursuits in New York City and remained associated with the city’s business community until his death. He died in New York City on November 10, 1879. His body was returned to his native Dutchess County, and he was buried in the Old Dutch Cemetery in Rhinebeck, New York. Many years later, his role as a nineteenth-century Democratic politician was depicted in popular culture: in the 2012 film “Lincoln,” actor Tim Blake Nelson portrayed Richard Schell as one of the figures lobbying Democratic House members to secure passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.