Biography
He was born on April 23, 1834. He attended Peekskill Military Academy for 12 years. He then attended Yale University from 1852 to 1856. He had second dispute appointments Junior and Senior years; speaker at Junior Exhibition and Commencement; member of the Thulia Boat Club, Linonia (third president), Kappa Sigma Epsilon, Kappa Sigma Theta, Psi Upsilon, and Skull and Bones.
Following his graduation from Yale, Depew entered the office of Edward Wells, a lawyer in Peekskill, as a student. Depew read law with William Nelson of Peekskill, New York from 1856–58; was admitted to the bar in March, 1858; opened an office and practiced in Peekskill until 1861; later engaged in the brokerage business in New York City as member of firm of Depew & Potter for a few months; then resumed his law practice in Peekskill, but shortly afterwards moved to New York City; in 1865 appointed and confirmed United States Minister to Japan, but declined the appointment to pursue his railroad career.
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