Alexander G. Penn

Summary

Alexander Gordon Penn (May 10, 1799 – May 7, 1866) was a U.S. Representative from Louisiana.

Alexander Gordon Penn
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Louisiana's 2nd district
In office
December 30, 1850 – March 3, 1853
Preceded byJohn Henry Harmanson
Succeeded byJohn Perkins Jr.
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Postmaster of New Orleans
In office
December 19, 1843 – April 18, 1849
Personal details
Born(1799-05-10)May 10, 1799
Near Stella, Virginia, U.S.
DiedMay 7, 1866(1866-05-07) (aged 66)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting placeGlenwood Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationEmory and Henry College
ProfessionPlanter, Lumber Mill Operator, Politician

Born near Stella, Virginia, Penn moved with his parents to Lexington, Kentucky; he then completed preparatory studies and attended Emory and Henry College, Marion, Virginia. Later he moved to the parish of St. Tammany, Louisiana, in 1821 and engaged in planting near Covington. He served in the State house of representatives. Postmaster of New Orleans from December 19, 1843, to April 18, 1849. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1844, 1852, 1856, and 1860.

Penn was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John H. Harmanson. He was reelected to the Thirty-second Congress and served from December 30, 1850, to March 3, 1853. He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Post Office Department (Thirty-second Congress). He returned to St. Tammany Parish and engaged in planting and the operation of a lumber mill near Covington.

At the conclusion of the Civil War, Penn returned to Washington, D.C. He died there on May 7, 1866, and was interred in Glenwood Cemetery.[1]

References edit

Bibliography edit

  • Bailey, N. Louise; Morgan, Mary L.; Taylor, Carolyn R. (1986). Biographical Directory of the South Carolina Senate: 1776-1985. Volume 1. Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 0872494799.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Louisiana's 2nd congressional district

1850 – 1853
Succeeded by