James Sheakley
James Sheakley | |
|---|---|
John M. Thompson | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 24, 1829 Sheakleyville, Pennsylvania |
| Died | December 10, 1917 (aged 88) Greenville, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lydia Long |
James Sheakley (April 24, 1829 – December 10, 1917) was an American
Governor of the District of Alaska from 1893 to 1897. He was also a member of the United States House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania from 1875 to 1877.
Background
Sheakley was born on April 24, 1829, to Moses and Susanna (Limber) Sheakley in
cabinet maker but worked instead as a teacher in rural schools.[1]
The
California Gold Rush prompted Sheakley to head west.[1] Arriving in San Francisco on February 2, 1852, he worked as a miner for three years.[2] Sheakley returned to Pennsylvania after his work in the gold fields and married Lydia Long of Greenville, Pennsylvania on December 25, 1855.[3] The marriage would produce three children, two daughters who died as children and one son who survived to adulthood.[1]
Following his wedding, Sheakley moved to Greenville and, in 1860, established a
Pennsylvanian oil rush, he switched industries and became a pioneer of the oil industry.[1]
Congressional career
Sheakley continued his work in the oil industry until 1874.1876 U.S. presidential election, he helped lead a filibuster blocking the bill granting the Presidency to Rutherford B. Hayes.[6] He was unsuccessful during his 1876 run for reelection.[1]
Alaska
Upon the recommendation of
U.S. Circuit Court judge, on June 23, 1887.[7] After starting this position in Wrangell, Alaska on August 9, 1887, the Commissioner of Education added to his duties by appointing his superintendent of schools for southeastern Alaska.[1][6] In 1888, Sheakley was admitted to the Alaskan bar.[1]
He was one of Alaska's two delegates to the 1892 Democratic National Convention. During the convention, the Alaska delegation cast the final two votes needed to secure the party's nomination for Grover Cleveland.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h McMullin & Walker p. 7
- ^ a b White p. 564
- ^ "Death Record". The Pittsburgh Press. July 31, 1918. p. 13.
- ^ "Pennsylvania: The Returns Tolerably Complete—A Democratic Majority of Seven Thousand—A Democratic Legislature—Public Sentiment". New York Times. November 6, 1874. p. 1.
- ^ White p. 564-5
- ^ a b c White p. 565
- ^ "Executive Appointments". New York Times. June 24, 1887. p. 31.
- ^ White p. 566
- McMullin, Thomas A.; Walker, David (1984). Biographical Directory of American Territorial Governors. Westport, CT: Meckler Publishing. ISBN 0-930466-11-X.
- James T. White & Company (1904). The National Cyclopaedia of American biography. Vol. XII. New York: J.T. White Co. OCLC 17692533.
- White, John G. (1909). A twentieth century history of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company. OCLC 390666.
| District (1884–1912) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Territorial (1912–1959) |
| |
| State (since 1959) | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
