Thomas Metcalfe (politician)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas Metcalfe

Thomas Metcalfe (born March 20, 1780 in Fauquier County , Virginia , †  August 18, 1855 in Carlisle , Kentucky ) was an American politician and governor of Kentucky. He also represented this state in both chambers of Congress .

Early years and advancement

Metcalfe attended local schools in his home country, then worked as a stonecutter for a few years before taking part in the British-American War as captain . His political career began in 1812 with his election to the Kentucky House of Representatives , where he remained until 1816. Between 1819 and 1828 he was a member of the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC There he was a member of both the Indian Committee and the Military Committee.

Kentucky governor

In 1828 Metcalfe ran for the office of governor. He was the first candidate of the National Republican Party , a precursor of the Whigs , in opposition to the Democratic Party of Andrew Jackson stood. Metcalfe was also the first candidate in a Kentucky gubernatorial election to be elected at a party convention. The election of 1828 was very close. Metcalfe got 50.5% of the vote, his opponent William T. Barry got 49.9%. His lead was just over 700 votes. His tenure began on August 26, 1828 and ended on September 4, 1832. At that time, the railroad age began in Kentucky. The first railway lines were planned and built. In addition, a canal was planned to bypass a waterfall on the Ohio . The governor also planned to build and expand a nationwide school system.

State Senator and US Senator

After the end of his tenure, Metcalfe remained politically active. He was a member of the Kentucky Senate from 1834 to 1838 . Between 1841 and 1849 he was chairman of a committee to improve the infrastructure of the country ( State Board of Internal Improvements ). His last political office he held from 1848 to 1849 as a US Senator in Washington; in the meantime he had joined the Whig Party.

Thomas Metcalfe died of cholera in August 1855 . He was married to Nancy Mason, with whom he had four children. The Metcalfe County is named after him.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Metcalfe, Thomas
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician and governor of Kentucky
DATE OF BIRTH March 20, 1780
PLACE OF BIRTH Fauquier County , Virginia
DATE OF DEATH August 18, 1855
Place of death Carlisle , Kentucky