U.S. Senator, New Jersey Governor, Presidential Cabinet Member. Born the son of U.S. Congressman Henry Southard, he graduated from Princeton University, in 1804, worked several years as a teacher, studied law, was admitted to the bar and appointed lawyer of the New Jersey State Legislature in 1814. Entering politics he served as a member of the New Jersey House of Representatives (1814-15) and served as a New Jersey State Supreme Court Justice (1815-20). In 1821, he was elected as a Democratic Republican to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James J. Wilson, serving until resigning in 1823. He was then appointed by President James Monroe, the 7th Secretary of the Navy, serving 1823-29. After leaving the Cabinet, he was Attorney General of New Jersey (1829-33) and he was elected as a National Republican, the 10th New Jersey Governor, serving 1832-33. After office he was again elected to the U.S. Senate, in 1833 and served until his death. His brother Isaac Southard, was also a U.S. Congressman.
U.S. Senator, New Jersey Governor, Presidential Cabinet Member. Born the son of U.S. Congressman Henry Southard, he graduated from Princeton University, in 1804, worked several years as a teacher, studied law, was admitted to the bar and appointed lawyer of the New Jersey State Legislature in 1814. Entering politics he served as a member of the New Jersey House of Representatives (1814-15) and served as a New Jersey State Supreme Court Justice (1815-20). In 1821, he was elected as a Democratic Republican to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James J. Wilson, serving until resigning in 1823. He was then appointed by President James Monroe, the 7th Secretary of the Navy, serving 1823-29. After leaving the Cabinet, he was Attorney General of New Jersey (1829-33) and he was elected as a National Republican, the 10th New Jersey Governor, serving 1832-33. After office he was again elected to the U.S. Senate, in 1833 and served until his death. His brother Isaac Southard, was also a U.S. Congressman.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
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Records on Ancestry
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