William Tharp

William Tharp (born November 27, 1803 in Farmington , Delaware , † January 9, 1865 in Milford , Delaware) was an American politician and governor of the state of Delaware from 1847 to 1851 .

Early years and political advancement

After finishing school, William Tharp took over his family's farm, which he managed for the rest of his life alongside his political activities. Politically, he became a member of the Democratic Party . Between 1838 and 1842 he was a member of the Delaware Senate and in 1844 he ran unsuccessfully in the gubernatorial elections. Two years later he was elected to the highest office of the state as his party's candidate against the later governor Peter F. Causey .

Delaware Governor

William Tharp began his four-year term on January 19, 1847. At the beginning of his reign, the Mexican-American War was still in full swing, which Tharp officially supported. In his private life, however, he doubted the meaning and necessity of this war. A dispute with the federal government over an island in the Delaware River has been settled. The federal government later established Fort Delaware on this island .

Another résumé

After the end of his governorship in January 1851, Tharp withdrew from politics and devoted himself to his farm. In 1852 he was appointed treasurer to the board of the Delaware Railroad Company. William Tharp died in January 1865. He and his wife Mary had five children. His grandson, William Tharp Watson , would also become governor of Delaware between 1895 and 1897.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Tharp, William
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	November 27, 1803
PLACE OF BIRTH	Farmington , Delaware
DATE OF DEATH	January 9, 1865
Place of death	Milford , Delaware