U.S. Congressman. Born in Birmingham, Pennsylvania, he became a botanist, studied medicine, graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1804 and went to the East Indies as ship’s surgeon in 1806. Returning to America in 1807, he was a practicing physician in West Chester, Pennsylvania and served as a Major of a volunteer regiment, during the War of 1812. In 1815, he was elected as a Republican to the Fourteenth Congress, served until 1817 and was elected to the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Congresses, serving (1819-23). After his term, he was appointed canal commissioner in 1825, was president of the West Chester Railroad and established a natural-history society in West Chester, in 1826. He also published several books on botany and was president of the National Bank of Chester County, from 1830, until his death at age 80 in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

U.S. Congressman. Born in Birmingham, Pennsylvania, he became a botanist, studied medicine, graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1804 and went to the East Indies as ship’s surgeon in 1806. Returning to America in 1807, he was a practicing physician in West Chester, Pennsylvania and served as a Major of a volunteer regiment, during the War of 1812. In 1815, he was elected as a Republican to the Fourteenth Congress, served until 1817 and was elected to the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Congresses, serving (1819-23). After his term, he was appointed canal commissioner in 1825, was president of the West Chester Railroad and established a natural-history society in West Chester, in 1826. He also published several books on botany and was president of the National Bank of Chester County, from 1830, until his death at age 80 in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith