US Congressman. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican in 1821, reelected as a Jackson Republican in 1823, reelected as a Jacksonian in 1825, an Adams candidate in 1827, an Anti-Masonic candidate for two term from 1831 until 1835, and in 1842 he was elected as a Whig, serving for three consecutive terms until 1849. During his congressional career, he served for 18 years with five different political parties and represented Pennsylvania from the 13th, 14th, 18th, and 20th districts. Born near Uniontown, Pennsylvania he graduated from Washington College (now Washington and Jefferson College) in Washington, Pennsylvania. After studying law, was admitted to the bar in 1815 and began practicing law in Uniontown. From 1815 until 1818 he served in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. He was then appointed by President James Monroe as the first US District Attorney for the newly created US District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania based in Pittsburgh, serving until 1821. During his last congressional term, he served as chairman of the US House Committee on Manufactures In 1848 he declined to become a candidate for re-nomination. That same year, he was runner-up to Millard Fillmore for the US Vice President at the Whig National Convention. He became affiliated with the Republican Party after it was founded in 1854 and was a delegate at the 1860 Republican National Convention. He died in Uniontown, Pennsylvania at the age of 81.

US Congressman. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican in 1821, reelected as a Jackson Republican in 1823, reelected as a Jacksonian in 1825, an Adams candidate in 1827, an Anti-Masonic candidate for two term from 1831 until 1835, and in 1842 he was elected as a Whig, serving for three consecutive terms until 1849. During his congressional career, he served for 18 years with five different political parties and represented Pennsylvania from the 13th, 14th, 18th, and 20th districts. Born near Uniontown, Pennsylvania he graduated from Washington College (now Washington and Jefferson College) in Washington, Pennsylvania. After studying law, was admitted to the bar in 1815 and began practicing law in Uniontown. From 1815 until 1818 he served in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. He was then appointed by President James Monroe as the first US District Attorney for the newly created US District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania based in Pittsburgh, serving until 1821. During his last congressional term, he served as chairman of the US House Committee on Manufactures In 1848 he declined to become a candidate for re-nomination. That same year, he was runner-up to Millard Fillmore for the US Vice President at the Whig National Convention. He became affiliated with the Republican Party after it was founded in 1854 and was a delegate at the 1860 Republican National Convention. He died in Uniontown, Pennsylvania at the age of 81.

Bio by: William Bjornstad