John McKinly

John McKinly (* February 21, 1721 in Ulster, Ireland; † August 21, 1796 in Wilmington, Delaware ) was an American politician and from 1776 to 1777 the 1.Gouverneur of the State of Delaware, whose official title yet "President of Delaware " was.

Life

Early years

In 1742, John emigrated McKinly at the age of 21 years from the north of Ireland in the then British colony of Delaware. He settled in Wilmington. In his new home, he must have enjoyed a medical education, even though there is no evidence, because he then temporarily worked as a doctor. At the same time he became a member of the militia. He participated in the Indian Wars and initially rose to Major and until 1774 to brigadier general of militia.

Political rise

In 1757 he was sheriff in New Castle County. Between 1758 and 1773 he was several times mayor of Wilmington. Since 1771 he was also a member of the then colonial Parliament of Delaware. After a meeting of the lower counties had decided to independence from Britain in Delaware, she created a Security Council, which should govern the new state. McKinly was elected to the Board and became its chairman and practically president of the new state (the title of governor was introduced in 1793 ). In October 1776, the first elections were held for the House of Representatives from Delaware. McKinly was chosen in this committee and its chairman. As a result, he was officially elected on February 12, 1777 as President of Delaware.

President of Delaware

McKinly could officiate as president of his country only until September 1777. His tenure was overshadowed by the events of the War of Independence. McKinly troops had to dig and make the Continental Army. However, the military situation was difficult for Delaware. The British conquered the state and attended by also caught its president. So that his term of office ended in captivity.

Further CV

In August 1778 McKinly was released as part of a prisoner exchange. McKinly returned to Wilmington, where he worked again as a doctor. He declined further political office. In 1789 he was among the founders of the Medical Society of Delaware. McKinly was also on the Board of the Academy of Newark. In this capacity, he has encouraged many students and even co-financed teacher salaries. John Mckinly died in 1796. He was married to Jenny Richardson since 1761. The marriage remained childless. John McKinly is still the only head of government of Delaware, who was born outside America.