Governor of West Virginia. This Pennsylvania cabinet maker was elected to serve in the Keystone State's legislature in 1856 but moved to a farm near Parkersburg Virginia (now West Virginia) before his term ended. He was passionate in his opposition to slavery, in improving labor conditions for workers and in his desire to save the Union. In 1859 Virginia officials issued a warrant for his arrest because he circulated material critical of the institution of slavery. This effort to silence the outspoken cabinet maker strengthened his resolve to fight against slavery and motivated him to get even more involved in politics. The Republican actively supported the election of Abraham Lincoln and worked untiringly for the establishment of West Virginia as a free state. From 1863 to 1868 he served in the new state's Senate. In 1868 he was elected West Virginia's third governor. As governor he supported equal education for African-Americans, increased immigration and the development of industry. In a move that ultimately cost him a victory in his attempt to be elected to a second term, he fought for and won the restoration of voting rights for Confederate veterans. Most of those veterans leaned toward the Democratic Party and voted against the man that worked to give them back their voting privileges. After serving his one term as governor he became a newspaper publisher and worked in the oil and land business until his death.
Governor of West Virginia. This Pennsylvania cabinet maker was elected to serve in the Keystone State's legislature in 1856 but moved to a farm near Parkersburg Virginia (now West Virginia) before his term ended. He was passionate in his opposition to slavery, in improving labor conditions for workers and in his desire to save the Union. In 1859 Virginia officials issued a warrant for his arrest because he circulated material critical of the institution of slavery. This effort to silence the outspoken cabinet maker strengthened his resolve to fight against slavery and motivated him to get even more involved in politics. The Republican actively supported the election of Abraham Lincoln and worked untiringly for the establishment of West Virginia as a free state. From 1863 to 1868 he served in the new state's Senate. In 1868 he was elected West Virginia's third governor. As governor he supported equal education for African-Americans, increased immigration and the development of industry. In a move that ultimately cost him a victory in his attempt to be elected to a second term, he fought for and won the restoration of voting rights for Confederate veterans. Most of those veterans leaned toward the Democratic Party and voted against the man that worked to give them back their voting privileges. After serving his one term as governor he became a newspaper publisher and worked in the oil and land business until his death.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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