Ivan Velho

Baron Ivan Osipovich Velio (October 6, 1830 – January 30, 1899) was a Russian statesman, Active Privy Councillor (since January 1, 1891). Biography Born in Tsarskoye Selo, the son of the Tsarskoye Selo Commandant of the Cavalry General Osip Velio from his marriage to Ekaterina Albrecht. Paternal grandson of the court banker Osip Velio; on his mother was a descendant of Roman Bruce. From birth belonged to the Roman Catholic faith. He was educated at the Imperial Alexander Lyceum. Upon completion of the course, in 1847, he entered the service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was the senior secretary at the missions in Dresden (since 1854) and Brussels (since 1858). In the early 1860s, Velio returned to Russia and was soon appointed Kherson Vice–Governor (1861), then served as Bessarabian Governor (1862). In 1863, he was appointed Mayor of Odessa, and in 1865 – Governor of Simbirsk. He was elected an honorary citizen of Simbirsk.