Joseph Desha

Joseph Desha (* October 9, 1768 in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, † October 12, 1842 in Georgetown, Kentucky ) was an American politician ( Democratic- Republican) and Governor of the State of Kentucky.

Early years and career

Deshas education was rather modest. Already in 1779 he came with his parents in the later Kentucky was still part of Virginia at that time. From 1782 to 1792 the family lived in Gallatin (Tennessee ) before they settled in Kentucky in Mason County. The young Desha initially began a military career. Among the generals Anthony Wayne and William Henry Harrison in 1794, he fought against the Indians, he was also involved in 1813 as a major general at the Battle of the Thames River.

Political career

Deshas political career began in 1797 with his election to the House of Representatives of Kentucky, where he remained until 1802. Finally, he sat until 1807 in the Senate of Kentucky. The next twelve years until 1819 he was a member of the House of Representatives of the United States in Washington. In the gubernatorial election in 1820 he was defeated at with only 546 votes behind his rival John Adair.

Desha applied at the next election in 1824, again for the office and won this time with 59.9 % of votes in Christopher Tompkins ( 34.5 %) and William Russell ( 6%). His four-year term began on August 24, 1824 and went to 26 August 1828th She was overshadowed by several events. For one, he urged Horace Holley, president of Transylvania University, due to its "too liberal ideas " for resignation, pardoned the other hand, his son, who had been convicted of murder. Moreover, his tenure was overshadowed by a legal dispute over the validity of laws. So much so that even a Court suspended and was created by Desha a new in life. However, this could not talk, because Parliament finally by a large majority the old Court confirmed.

Evening of life and death

After the end of his tenure, Desha drew from public life back to his farm. He died there in October 1842 and was buried in the cemetery of Georgetown. Joseph Desha was married to Margaret Bledsoe. The couple had two children. He was the older brother of Robert Desha (1791-1849) was the 1827-1831 congressman for the state of Tennessee.

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