U.S. Congressman, North Carolina Governor. Educated at an academy in Onslow North Carolina, during the War of 1812, he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in command of the Onslow Volunteer Regiment, U.S. Army. After the war, he entered politics as a member of the North Carolina House of Commons, (1813, 16-17) and served in the North Carolina Senate, (1814, 24, 28). He was elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Gabriel Holmes, serving (1929-31). Declining to be a candidate for reelection, he was as a member of the North Carolina House of Commons, (1834-35) and was president of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad Company. In 1836, he was elected as a Whig the 28th Governor of North Carolina, serving until 1841 and was the first governor elected by a popular vote. During his tenure, road construction was recommended and improvements to the penal and educational systems were lobbied for. After leaving office, he resumed his former railroad pursuits until 1847. He died in retirement at age 65.

U.S. Congressman, North Carolina Governor. Educated at an academy in Onslow North Carolina, during the War of 1812, he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in command of the Onslow Volunteer Regiment, U.S. Army. After the war, he entered politics as a member of the North Carolina House of Commons, (1813, 16-17) and served in the North Carolina Senate, (1814, 24, 28). He was elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Gabriel Holmes, serving (1929-31). Declining to be a candidate for reelection, he was as a member of the North Carolina House of Commons, (1834-35) and was president of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad Company. In 1836, he was elected as a Whig the 28th Governor of North Carolina, serving until 1841 and was the first governor elected by a popular vote. During his tenure, road construction was recommended and improvements to the penal and educational systems were lobbied for. After leaving office, he resumed his former railroad pursuits until 1847. He died in retirement at age 65.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith