Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission

FINDLAY, William, (brother of James Findlay and John Findlay), a Senator from Pennsylvania; born in Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pa., June 20, 1768; attended the public schools; engaged in agricultural pursuits; served as brigade inspector in the State militia; studied law; admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Franklinton, Pa.; member, State house of representatives 1797, 1804-1807; State treasurer 1807-1817; Governor of Pennsylvania 1817-1820; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1820; elected as a Democratic Republican (later Jacksonian) to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term commencing March 4, 1821, caused by the failure of the legislature to elect and served from December 10, 1821, to March 3, 1827; was not a candidate for reelection in 1826; chairman, Committee on Agriculture (Nineteenth Congress); Director of the United States Mint 1827-1841, when he resigned on account of illness; died in Harrisburg, Pa., November 12, 1846; interment in Harrisburg Cemetery.