John Wesley Davis (April 16, 1799 – August 22, 1859) was an American physician and Democratic politician, active in the mid-1800s. He is best known for serving as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Governor of the Oregon Territory, and as a four-time member of the Indiana state legislature.
John W. Davis | |
|---|---|
 Davis as painted by W.D. Murphy, 1911. | |
| 4th Governor of Oregon Territory | |
| In office May 14, 1853 – August 1, 1854 | |
| Appointed by | Franklin Pierce |
| Preceded by | George Law Curry (acting) |
| Succeeded by | George Law Curry |
| 3rd United States Commissioner to the Great Qing Empire | |
| In office January 3, 1848 – May 25, 1850 | |
| Appointed by | James K. Polk |
| Preceded by | Alexander Hill Everett |
| Succeeded by | Humphrey Marshall |
| 17th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office December 1, 1845 – March 4, 1847 | |
| Preceded by | John W. Jones |
| Succeeded by | Robert C. Winthrop |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana | |
| In office March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1837 March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841 March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847 | |
| Preceded by | John Ewing (2nd) John Ewing (2nd) David Wallace (6th) |
| Succeeded by | John Ewing (2nd) Richard W. Thompson (2nd) George Grundy Dunn (6th) |
| Constituency | 2nd district (1835–37) 2nd district (1839–41) 6th district (1843–47) |
| Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives | |
| In office December 1, 1851 – March 7, 1852 | |
| Preceded by | Ebenezer Dumont |
| Succeeded by | William Hayden English |
| In office December 6, 1841 – January 31, 1842 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Judah |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Jefferson Henley |
| In office December 3, 1832 – February 4, 1833 | |
| Preceded by | Harbin H. Moore |
| Succeeded by | Nathan B. Palmer |
| Member of the Indiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 1831 1841 1851 1857 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Wesley Davis April 16, 1799 New Holland, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died | August 22, 1859 (aged 60) Carlisle, Indiana, US |
| Resting place | City Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | Jacksonian |
| Alma mater | UMB |
| Occupation | Doctor |
| Profession | Physician |
| Committees | Committee on Public Lands |
Early life and education
editDavis was born in New Holland, Pennsylvania, on April 16, 1799, and later moved to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, with his parents.[1][2] Davis graduated from Baltimore Medical College in 1821, then moved to Carlisle, Indiana, in 1823 and practiced medicine there.[2] He married Ann Hoover on November 19, 1820.
His daughter, Caroline Davis, married James C. Denny, Indiana Attorney General (1872–1874). Their son, Frank Lee Denny, was a colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps who served in the Egyptian Expedition of 1882, the U.S. intervention in Panama in 1885, and the Spanish–American War.[3]
Political career
editState politics
editDavis started his political career as an unsuccessful candidate for the Indiana Senate in 1828. He instead became a state court judge in Indiana from 1829 to 1831. He was elected a member of the Indiana House of Representatives four times, serving terms beginning in 1831, 1841, 1851, and 1857.[1] He was Speaker of the Indiana House from 1832 to 1833 and again from 1841 to 1842 and 1851 to 1852.[1]
National politics
editHe served as a U.S. Representative from Indiana in the 24th, 26th, 28th and 29th Congresses and was Speaker of the U.S. House in the 29th Congress.[1] From 1848 to 1850 he was U.S. Diplomatic Commissioner to China.[1] In 1852 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Indiana.[1]
Governorship
editDavis was appointed to the office of Governor of the Oregon Territory in 1853 by President Franklin Pierce. His appointment was not welcomed by Oregonians, however, and he left office just over a year later, with the position returning to his predecessor, Secretary of the Territory George Law Curry.
Death
editDavis died in Carlisle, Indiana on August 22, 1859.[1] He was buried at City Cemetery in Carlisle.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Davis, J." The Political Graveyard. Retrieved October 31, 2007.
- ^ a b Biographical Directory of the United States Congress: DAVIS, John Wesley
- ^ Macfarland, Henry Brown Floyd (1908). District of Columbia. Washington D.C.: Potomac Press.
External links
edit
- John Wesley Davis at Find a Grave
- Davis, John Wesley politicalgraveyard.com
- Oregon State Library – Governors of Oregon Photographs – Short biography and photograph.