Joseph DESHA, Congress, KY (1768-1842)

DESHA, Joseph, (brother of Robert Desha), a Representative from Kentucky; born in Monroe County, Pa., December 9, 1768; pursued preparatory studies; moved to Kentucky with his parents, who settled in Fayette County in 1779, and later in 1782, they moved to Tennessee and settled near Gallatin, Sumner County; returned to Kentucky in 1792 and settled in Mason County; served in the Indian wars under Gen. Anthony Wayne and Gen. William H. Harrison in 1794; returned to Kentucky and engaged in agricultural pursuits; member of the State house of representatives in 1797 and 1799-1802; served in the State senate 1803-1807; elected as a Republican to the Tenth and to the five succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1807-March 3, 1819); chairman, Committee on Public Expenditures (Fifteenth Congress); was not a candidate for renomination in 1818; unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Kentucky in 1820; served as major general of Volunteers under Gen. William H. Harrison at the Battle of the Thames; on his return to civil life he was elected Governor of Kentucky and served from 1824 to 1828; lived on his farm in Harrison County until his death near Georgetown, Ky., October 11, 1842; interment in Georgetown Cemetery.

Bibliography

Desha, Joseph. “Joseph Desha, Letters and Papers.” Edited by James A. Padgett. Register of the Kentucky Historical Society 51 (December 1953): 286-304.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present