William FINDLEY, Congress, PA (17411742-1821)

FINDLEY, William, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Ireland in 1741 or 1742; attended the parish schools; immigrated to the United States, landing in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1763 and moving west, first to the Octorara Valley, then to the Cumberland Valley in the vicinity of Waynesboro, and finally to Westmoreland County, Pa.; during the Revolution served in the Cumberland County Associators, as a private in 1776 and as a captain in 1778; weaver; member of the council of censors in 1783; served four terms in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, 1784, 1785, 1786, and 1787; member of the State supreme executive council 1789 and 1790; served in the State house of representatives 1790 and 1791; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1790; elected as an Anti-Administration candidate to the Second and Third Congresses, reelected as a Republican to the Fourth and Fifth Congresses (March 4, 1791-March 3, 1799); engaged in agricultural pursuits; during the Whisky Insurrection in 1794 worked actively to quiet the passions of the revolt and restore obedience to the law and wrote a book defending his course; again a member of the State senate 1799-1802; elected as a Republican to the Eighth through the Fourteenth Congresses (March 4, 1803-March 3, 1817); chairman, Committee on Elections (Eighth through Twelfth Congresses); died near Greensburg, Pa., on April 4, 1821; interment in Unity Meeting House Cemetery, near Latrobe, Pa.

Bibliography

Caldwell, John. William Findley from West of the Mountains: Congressman, 1791-1821. Gig Harbor, Wash.: Red Apple Pub., 2002.

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