David R. Porter

David Rittenhouse Porter ( born October 31, 1788 in Norristown, Pennsylvania; † August 6, 1867 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and from 1839 to 1845 the 9th Governor of the State of Pennsylvania.

Early years

Porter attended the Norristown Academy and then was planning to study at Princeton University. Once this was in 1802 but burned down in a fire, he had to change his plans. Instead, he then worked for his father, who was head of the Land Survey Authority of Pennsylvania. He then became manager of a hardware factory. In 1814 he became part owner of a factory called " Sligo Iron Works ", but during an economic crisis bankrupt five years later. Alongside he has at that time studied law and began to care for cattle and horse breeding.

Political rise

After the bankruptcy of his company to Porter turned to politics. In 1820 he was elected to the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. This mandate he held three legislatures. Then he was hired at the District Court in Huntingdon County. After that, he was an official document in the same County. Since 1836 he was a member of the Senate of Pennsylvania. In 1838 he was elected governor of his state. The election against the incumbent Joseph Ritner of the Anti- Masonic Party was very scarce and led to the election challenge. It came between the supporters of both sides to partially bloody confrontations before Porter was confirmed as governor.

Governor of Pennsylvania

David Porter took up his new post on 15 January 1839. He was the first governor of Pennsylvania, who served under the provisions of 1838 came into force new state constitution. This saw among other things, limiting the term of office of the governors to two terms. Porter drew this possibility fully. After a re-election in 1842 he was able to officiate until 21 January 1845. Almost his entire reign was overshadowed by the consequences of the economic crisis erupted in 1837. The governor responded with budget freezes and tax increases. On the other hand, he promoted the development of infrastructure, especially the waterways and railways. Despite his efforts to save the national debt increased by 25 % in Porter's tenure. But the state had enough reserves to pay the accrued interest.

In 1844, Porter had to deal with violent unrest in Philadelphia. He was an advocate of the separation of powers and also it came with the legislature to conflict. The Legislature has, then, to very mixed, at least according to Porter's view on the powers of the government and the courts. This behavior brought to him, but unsuccessful, impeachment proceedings on the part of the legislature one.

Further CV

After the expiration of his term of office, Porter drew largely withdrew from politics. In 1856, he supported the presidential campaign of James Buchanan. Along with Sam Houston, the governor of Texas, he called for a transcontinental rail link across the United States. Both politicians voted for a southern route. In Harrisburg Porter ran a Eisenverhüttungsfirma. There, for the first time was with furnaces that were fired with coal, experimenting. David Porter lived to see the Civil War and died in 1867. He was married to Josephine McDermott. The couple had a child. David Porter was a brother of George B. Porter, who was between 1831-1834 Governor in Michigan Territory.

The Porter Township, Clarion County was named after David Porter.

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