William Findlay

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William Findlay
William Findlay

In office
December 16, 1817 – December 19, 1820
Preceded by Simon Snyder
Succeeded by Joseph Hiester

In office
1821 – 1827
Preceded by Jonathan Roberts
Succeeded by Isaac D. Barnard

Born June 20, 1768
Mercersburg, Pennsylvania
Died November 12, 1846
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Political party Democratic-Republican Party

William Findlay (June 20, 1768November 12, 1846) was governor of Pennsylvania from 1817 to 1820. A Jeffersonian Democrat, and lawyer by training, Findlay served in the state legislature and was elected state treasurer in 1807. He remained in this position until 1817 when he was nominated for the post of governor in the state's first open convention. He was the first governor to lead the state from its new capital of Harrisburg, running many of the functions of government out of his own home while the new capitol building was under construction. He was defeated for re-election in 1820 by Joseph Hiester, but was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1821 and later served as director of the U.S. Mint. He is interred at Harrisburg Cemetery.

Findlay Township in Western Pennsylvania and Findlay Commons on the campus of Penn State University are both named for Governor Findlay.

He was the brother of United States Congressman John and United States Congressman and Cincinnati mayor James Findlay.

[edit] Sources

  • Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Biography[1]
Preceded by
Simon Snyder
Governor of Pennsylvania
1817–1820
Succeeded by
Joseph Hiester
Preceded by
Jonathan Roberts
United States Senator (Class 1) from Pennsylvania
1821–1827
Served alongside: Walter Lowrie, William Marks
Succeeded by
Isaac D. Barnard
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