William Bigler

William Bigler ( born January 11, 1814 today's Perry County, Pennsylvania, † August 9, 1880 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania ) was an American politician. He was from 1852 to 1855 the 12th Governor of the State of Pennsylvania, which he also represented in the U.S. Senate.

Early years and political rise

William Bigler visited times the local schools of his home. Part of his education was imparted to him by his brother John, who was to become governor of California 1852-1856. Since 1829 William Bigler served an apprenticeship in the printing industry. Then he moved to Clearfield, where he in 1833 the newspaper " Clearfield Democrat " founded. Through his father, who worked in the timber business, also came William Bigler in this industry.

Between 1841 and 1847 Bigler was a member of the Senate of Pennsylvania. During this time he was twice president of the house. In 1849 he was tax commissioner of the state ( Pennsylvania Revenue Commissioner) before he was nominated in 1851 by his Democratic Party ala candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election. In this he could beat incumbent William Freame Johnston.

Governor of Pennsylvania

William Bigler took up his new post on January 20, 1852. During his tenure, a state school for mentally retarded children was established. At that time, the Office of the School Board was also introduced in the various counties. The railway line between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh was completed and opened. Although Bigler was an opponent of slavery, he supported the implementation of the so-called " Fugitive Slave Act ." This federal law committed since 1850, the U.S. states to capture escaped from the South slaves and deliver them again. Biglers predecessor Johnston had opposed this law. too, the measures adopted under the 1854 Kansas - Nebraska Act was supported by Bigler. this Act repealed the Missouri Compromise and left the question of the expansion of slavery. was the citizens of these two territories established by this law in Pennsylvania, the Kansas - Nebraska Act very unpopular and the governor lost by its position on this issue much sympathy. has led at the next gubernatorial election to his deselection.

Further CV

After his election defeat William Bigler had handed over to his successor James Pollock his office on January 16. After that, he was president of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Company Railroad. Between January 14, 1856, the March 3, 1861 Bigler was a member of the U.S. Senate. There he worked on several committees. During his time in the Senate, he sat down for a peaceful solution of the antagonism between the North and South. In the years 1860, 1864 and 1868 respectively, he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In advance of the upcoming 1876 celebrations of the 100th anniversary of American independence Bigler member of the Planning Committee. He was one of the proponents of an international exhibition in Philadelphia. Originally they had planned only an exhibition at the national level. In 1876, he supported the presidential campaign of almost failed Samuel J. Tilden. He was also appointed as observers to the vote recount in New Orleans. William Bigler died on 9 August 1880. He was married to Mary J. Reed, with whom he had five children.