John W. Dana
John Winchester Dana (June 21, 1808 – December 22, 1867) was an American businessman and Democratic politician in the U.S. state of Maine. He served as the 19th and 21st Governor of Maine and as Chargé d'affaires to Bolivia during the 19th century.
John W. Dana | |
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Member of the Maine House of Representatives | |
In office 1841–1842 | |
President of the Maine State Senate | |
In office 1843–1844 | |
19th Governor of Maine | |
In office January 3, 1844 – January 3, 1844 | |
Preceded by | David Dunn |
Succeeded by | Hugh J. Anderson |
21st Governor of Maine | |
In office May 13, 1847 – May 8, 1850 | |
Preceded by | Hugh J. Anderson |
Succeeded by | John Hubbard |
Personal details | |
Born | Fryeburg, Massachusetts (now Maine) | June 21, 1808
Died | December 22, 1867 59) near Buenos Aires, Argentina | (aged
Resting place | Village Cemetery, Fryeburg, Maine |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Eliza Ann Osgood |
Relations | Judah Dana |
Alma mater | Fryeburg Academy |
Profession | Businessman Politician |
Early life
Dana was born in Fryeburg (in modern-day Maine, then a part of Massachusetts), the son of Judah and Elizabeth Dana.[1] He studied in the local schools and at Fryeburg Academy before pursuing a business career.[2]
Political career
Dana served as a Democratic member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1841 to 1842.[3] He was a member of the Maine State Senate from 1843 to 1844. and was elected president of the Maine State Senate.[4] He became the Governor of Maine on January 3, 1844 after Acting Governor David Dunn resigned from office. He served only that day. As president of the state senate, Dana filled an unexpired term. Hugh J. Anderson became the Governor of Maine on the same day.
In 1846, Dana ran against Liberty Party candidate Samuel Fessenden and Whig Party candidate Daniel Bronson. No candidate received a majority of the vote; the Democratic dominated Legislature selected Dana.[5] He was successful in his re-election bid in 1847 and 1848.[6] During his term, anti-slavery measures were endorsed. He left office on May 8, 1850.
After leaving office, Dana returned to his business pursuits. He was appointed Chargé d'affaires to Bolivia in 1853 by President Franklin Pierce.[7] On March 10, 1859, Dana resigned his position and returned to Maine to run for governor. He was defeated by Israel Washburn, Jr..
Later years
After losing the election, Dana sold his property and moved to South America to raise sheep.[8] While assisting in a plague stricken area, Dana contracted cholera in Argentina[9] and died near Buenos Aires. Years later he was re-interred in the Village Cemetery in Fryeburg, Maine.[10]
Personal life
Dana married Eliza Ann Osgood[11] and they had five children. Dana's father Judah Dana was a Maine statesman and U.S. Senator.[12]
References
- "Governor John Winchester Dana". Ancestry.com. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- Watson, Stephen Marion (1898). The Maine Historical and Genealogical Recorder, Volume 9. S.M. Watson. p. 353.
- Maine (1840). Public Documents of the State of Maine; Being the Reports of the Various Public Officers and Departments. Maine. p. 20.
- "Governor John Winchester Dana". Ancestry.com. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- "John W. Dana, Fryeburg, 1844". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- Chase, Henry (1893). Representative Men of Maine: A Collection of Portraits with Biographical Sketches of Residents of the State, who Have Achieved Success ... to which is Added the Portraits and Sketches of All the Governors Since the Formation of the State. Lakeside Press. p. xxvii.
- "John W. Dana". The Blaine House. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- "Dana, John W." Maine An Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- "John W. Dana, Fryeburg, 1844". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- The Maine Historical Magazine, Volume 7. Joseph W. Porter. 1892. p. 125.
- Brown, John Howard (1900). Lamb's Biographical Dictionary of the United States: Chubb-Erich. James H. Lamb Company. p. 332.
- Fosdick, Lucian John (1906). The French blood in America. R.G. Badger. p. 187.
Further reading
- Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2
External links
- Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. 1900. .
- National Governors Association
- John W. Dana Portrait
- John W. Dana at Find a Grave
Party political offices | ||
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Preceded by Hugh J. Anderson |
Democratic nominee for Governor of Maine 1846, 1847, 1848 |
Succeeded by John Hubbard |
Preceded by Ephraim K. Smart |
Democratic nominee for Governor of Maine 1861 |
Succeeded by Bion Bradbury |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by David Dunn |
Governor of Maine 1844 |
Succeeded by Hugh J. Anderson |
Preceded by Hugh J. Anderson |
Governor of Maine 1847-1850 |
Succeeded by John Hubbard |