Samuel Ward King
Samuel Ward King (May 23, 1786 – January 20, 1851) was the 15th Governor of Rhode Island from 1839 to 1843.
Samuel Ward King | |
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15th Governor of Rhode Island | |
In office May 2, 1839 – May 1, 1843 | |
Lieutenant Governor | Byron Diman |
Preceded by | William Sprague III |
Succeeded by | James Fenner |
Personal details | |
Born | Johnston, Rhode Island | May 23, 1786
Died | January 20, 1851 64) Providence, Rhode Island | (aged
Resting place | King family plot, Johnston, RI |
Political party | Whig |
Spouse(s) | Catherine Latham Angell |
Profession | Physician |
King was born in Johnston, Providence County, Rhode Island to William Borden King and Welthian Walton.
He attended Brown University but did not graduate.[1] He became a medical doctor and worked as a surgeon during the War of 1812.
In 1820 King was elected town clerk of Johnston. He became a Whig when the party was founded, and was a presidential elector in 1832. In 1838 he was elected to the Rhode Island Senate. He first became governor in 1839 when the legislature failed to grant a majority of votes to the three leading contenders. He was elected to three other terms.
During his administration as governor of Rhode Island he took a strong stand against the expanded voting franchise that led to the Dorr Rebellion in 1841 – 1842. President John Tyler refused to send in Federal troops at Governor King's request to suppress the uprising.
King married Catherine Latham Angell, with whom he had fourteen children.
He is buried in the King family plot in Johnston near the intersection of US Route 6A and Killingly Street.
References
- "Rhode Island Governor Samuel King". National Governors Association. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
External links
- Political Graveyard biographical information.
- National Governors Association Biography
- Samuel Ward King at Find a Grave
Party political offices | ||
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Preceded by William Sprague III |
Whig nominee for Governor of Rhode Island 1840, 1841, 1842 |
Vacant Title next held by Elisha Harris |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by William Sprague III |
Governor of Rhode Island 1839–1843 |
Succeeded by James Fenner |