Samuel W. Pennypacker

Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker ( born April 9, 1843 in Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsylvania, † September 2, 1916 in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania ) was an American politician ( Republican) and from 1903 to 1907 the 24th Governor of the state of Pennsylvania.

Early years and political rise

Pennypacker visited the North East Grammar School in Philadelphia and the Grove Ment Seminary. After he earned his living as a teacher before he took part in 1863 in the Civil War. After studying law he was admitted in 1866 as a lawyer. In 1868 he became head of the Law Academy in Philadelphia. During this time he published several legal treatises; He also wrote books on the early history of the region around Philadelphia and was also president of the Pennsylvania Historical Society.

Between 1886 and 1889, Pennypacker was a member of the Council ( Board of Education ) of Philadelphia. In 1889, he was appointed to a Court of Appeal by Governor James A. Beaver judge. He held this office until 1900. In 1902 he was elected as a candidate of his party against the former two-time Governor Robert E. Pattison as the new governor of his state.

Governor of Pennsylvania

Samuel Pennypacker took up his new post on January 20, 1903. During his tenure, a new law regulating child labor was adopted in 1905. The governor set up an independent police in Pennsylvania. With the freedom of the press, he was at war. He tried in vain to prescribe the newspapers, how and on what they should report. During his tenure in 1897, spent the Capitol was restored. In the settlement of costs occurred irregularities that were not accused the governor, but some planners and others involved in the construction. Some were also condemned for it. The scandal surrounding these incidents lasted until well into the term of Penny Baker's successor, Edwin Sydney Stuart. In 1906, Governor Pennypacker prevented his veto the adoption of a sterilization law.

After the expiration of his term of office on January 15, 1907 Pennypacker was working as a lawyer again. He died on 2 September 1916, and was buried in Morris Cemetery in Phoenixville.