John Wesley Davis

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For other persons of the same name, see John Davis.

For other persons named John Wesley, see John Wesley (disambiguation).

21st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
John Wesley Davis

In office December 1, 1845 – March 4, 1847
President	James K. Polk
Preceded by	John W. Jones
Succeeded by	Robert C. Winthrop
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1837 March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841
Preceded by	John Ewing (twice)
Succeeded by	John Ewing Richard W. Thompson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 9th district
In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847
Preceded by	David Wallace
Succeeded by	George G. Dunn
6th Governor of the Oregon Territory
In office 1853 – 1854
President	James K. Polk
Preceded by	George L. Curry
Succeeded by	George L. Curry

Born	April 16, 1799(1799-04-16) New Holland, Pennsylvania
Died	August 22, 1859 (aged 60) Carlisle, Indiana
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	University of Maryland, Baltimore
Occupation	Doctor

John Wesley Davis (April 16, 1799–August 22, 1859) was a doctor and a prominent U.S. politician during the 1840s. He served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1845 to 1847, and served a total of eight years in the United States Congress as a Democrat from Indiana. He served as the U.S. Commissioner to China 1848–1850. He was appointed to the office of Governor of the Oregon Territory from 1853-1854 by President Franklin Pierce.

[edit] Biography and political history

Davis 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 was a candidate for the Indiana Senate in 1828, a state court judge in Indiana from 1829 to 1831, a member of the Indiana House of Representatives from 1831-1833, 1841-43, 1851-52, and in 1857.^[1] He was Speaker of the Indiana House from 1832-33, 1841-42, 1851-52.^[1] He served as A U.S. Representative from Indiana from 1835-37, 1839-41, 1843-47 (2nd District 1835-37, 1839-41, 6th District 1843-47) and was Speaker of the U.S. House from 1845-47.^[1] From 1848-1850 he was U.S. Diplomatic Commissioner to China.^[1] In 1852 he was a delegate to Democratic National Convention from Indiana.^[1] Davis died in Carlisle, Indiana on August 22, 1859.^[1] He was buried at City Cemetery in Carlisle.^[1]

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Davis, J.. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.
^ ^a ^b Biographical Directory of the United States Congress: DAVIS, John Wesley

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Oregon State Library - Governors of Oregon Photographs - Short biography and photograph.

[edit] External links

John Wesley Davis at Find A Grave

Preceded by John W. Jones	Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives December 1, 1845 – March 4, 1847	Succeeded by Robert C. Winthrop
Preceded by George Law Curry	Governor of Oregon Territory 1853-1854	Succeeded by George Law Curry

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