US Congressman. Born in West Bradford Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, he read law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1833. He began a successful private practice in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and served as Chester County District Attorney from 1845 to 1846. In 1854 he was elected as an Anti-Lecompton Democrat to represent Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives (Anti-Lecomptons were Democrats who went against the Democrat Party's pro-slavery stance and opposed the practice of involuntary bondage for African-Americans), succeeding Congressman William Everhart for the seat. Serving from 1855 to 1863, his anti-slavery beliefs would eventually facilitate his switch to the Republican Party in 1860, and was even was one of the men voted on as a candidate for Vice President with Abraham Lincoln (a nomination that went to Maine Senator Hannibal Hamlin). When the Secession Crisis began he was s staunch support of the Union and the war effort to suppress the rebellion, and was one of the first supporters in Congress of both Emancipation of the slave and of the raising of African-American troops. He declined to run for re-election in 1862, and his seat was subsequently filled by Congressman John Dodson Stiles of Allentown. He returned to his West Chester law practice, served one term in 1869 in the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and passed away in West Chester in 1875.
US Congressman. Born in West Bradford Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, he read law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1833. He began a successful private practice in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and served as Chester County District Attorney from 1845 to 1846. In 1854 he was elected as an Anti-Lecompton Democrat to represent Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives (Anti-Lecomptons were Democrats who went against the Democrat Party's pro-slavery stance and opposed the practice of involuntary bondage for African-Americans), succeeding Congressman William Everhart for the seat. Serving from 1855 to 1863, his anti-slavery beliefs would eventually facilitate his switch to the Republican Party in 1860, and was even was one of the men voted on as a candidate for Vice President with Abraham Lincoln (a nomination that went to Maine Senator Hannibal Hamlin). When the Secession Crisis began he was s staunch support of the Union and the war effort to suppress the rebellion, and was one of the first supporters in Congress of both Emancipation of the slave and of the raising of African-American troops. He declined to run for re-election in 1862, and his seat was subsequently filled by Congressman John Dodson Stiles of Allentown. He returned to his West Chester law practice, served one term in 1869 in the Pennsylvania State Legislature, and passed away in West Chester in 1875.
Bio by: RPD2
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