The family removed to Chautauqua County. He attended the common schools and
Westfield Academy. Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1849, and commenced practice in Panama. He was a member of the
New York State Assembly in
1853 and
1854; and was one of the Managers at the
Impeachment trial of Canal Commissioner
John C. Mather in 1853. Sessions was a member of the
New York State Senate (32nd D.) in
1860,
1861; Supervisor of the
Town of Harmony in 1863 and 1864; and again a member of the State Senate in
1866 and
1867. Sessions was elected as a
Republican to the
42nd and
43rd United States Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1871, to March 3, 1875. Afterwards he resumed the practice of law. Sessions was elected to the
49th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1885, to March 3, 1887. Afterwards he resumed the practice of law in
Jamestown and Panama. He was appointed Commissioner of the State of New York to the World's Columbian Exposition at
Chicago, Illinois, in 1893. He was buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery. State Senator
Loren B. Sessions (1827–1897) was his brother. ==Sources==