John Wesley Davis
Encyclopedia
John Wesley Davis was a doctor and a prominent U.S. politician during the 1840s.
, on April 16, 1799, and later moved to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
, with his parents. Davis graduated from Baltimore Medical College in 1821, then moved to Carlisle, Indiana
, in 1823 and practiced medicine there. He married Ann Hoover on November 19, 1820.
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
for 1831–1833, 1841–43, 1851–52, and in 1857. He was Speaker of the Indiana House in 1832–33, 1841–42, 1851–52.
, 26th
, 28th
and 29th Congresses
and was Speaker of the U.S. House in the 29th Congress
. From 1848 to 1850 he was U.S. Diplomatic Commissioner to China. In 1852 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
from Indiana.
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, Acting Governor George Law Curry
. Pierce later appointed Curry to the position officially.
Early life and education
Davis was born in New Holland, PennsylvaniaNew Holland, Pennsylvania
New Holland is a borough in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 5,092 at the 2000 census. New Holland was settled in 1728 by John Michael and John Phillip Ranc . Before it became known as New Holland, it had been called Hog Swamp, Earltown and New Design...
, on April 16, 1799, and later moved to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Shippensburg is a borough in Cumberland and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Settled in 1730, Shippensburg lies in the Cumberland Valley, 41 miles west-southwest of Harrisburg, and is part of the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1900, 3,228 people...
, with his parents. Davis graduated from Baltimore Medical College in 1821, then moved to Carlisle, Indiana
Carlisle, Indiana
Carlisle is a town in Haddon Township, Sullivan County, Indiana, United States. The population was 692 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, in 1823 and practiced medicine there. He married Ann Hoover on November 19, 1820.
State politics
Davis started his political career as an unsuccessful candidate for the Indiana SenateIndiana Senate
The Indiana Senate is the upper house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The Senate is composed of 50 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. Senators serve four-year terms without term limits...
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
Indiana House of Representatives
The Indiana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The House is composed of 100 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. House members serve two-year terms without term limits...
for 1831–1833, 1841–43, 1851–52, and in 1857. He was Speaker of the Indiana House in 1832–33, 1841–42, 1851–52.
National politics
He served as a U.S. Representative from Indiana in the 24th24th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:During this congress one House seat was added for each of the new states of Arkansas and Michigan.-Leadership:- Senate :* President: Martin Van Buren * President pro tempore: William R. King - House of Representatives :...
, 26th
26th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:- Leadership :- Senate :*President: Richard M. Johnson *President pro tempore: William R. King - House of Representatives :*Speaker: Robert M.T. Hunter -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state...
, 28th
28th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:Following the 1840 United States Census, Congress reapportioned the House to include 223 seats . During this congress, one House seat was added for the new state of Florida .- Senate :*President: Vacant...
and 29th Congresses
29th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:During this congress, two House seats were added for each of the new states of Texas and Iowa.-Leadership:-Senate:* President: George M. Dallas * President pro tempore: Willie P. Mangum...
and was Speaker of the U.S. House in the 29th Congress
29th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:During this congress, two House seats were added for each of the new states of Texas and Iowa.-Leadership:-Senate:* President: George M. Dallas * President pro tempore: Willie P. Mangum...
. From 1848 to 1850 he was U.S. Diplomatic Commissioner to China. In 1852 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
from Indiana.
Governorship
Davis was appointed to the office of Governor of the Oregon TerritoryOregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
in 1853 by President Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
. His appointment was not welcomed by Oregonians, however, and he left office just over a year later, with the position returning to his predecessor, Acting Governor George Law Curry
George Law Curry
George Law Curry was a United States political figure and newspaper publisher predominately in what became the state of Oregon. A native of Pennsylvania, he published a newspaper in St. Louis, Missouri, before traveling the Oregon Trail to the unorganized Oregon Country...
. Pierce later appointed Curry to the position officially.
Death
Davis died in Carlisle, Indiana on August 22, 1859. He was buried at City Cemetery in Carlisle.External links
- Davis, John Wesley politicalgraveyard.com
- Oregon State Library – Governors of Oregon Photographs – Short biography and photograph.