Wikipedia

Henry S. Magraw

Henry Slaymaker Magraw (December 17, 1815 – February 1, 1867) was an American politician and lawyer. He served as State Treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1856 to 1859. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County in 1867.

Henry S. Magraw
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the Cecil County district
In office
1867 – February 1, 1867
Preceded byJesse A. Kirk, James McCauley, Jethro J. McCullough, George B. Pennington
Succeeded byJohn Ward Davis, Levi R. Mearns, William Richards, James Touchstone
24th Treasurer of Pennsylvania
In office
May 1, 1856 – May 1, 1859
Preceded byEli Slifer
Succeeded byEli Slifer
Personal details
Born
Henry Slaymaker Magraw

(1815-12-17)December 17, 1815
West Nottingham, Maryland, U.S.
DiedFebruary 1, 1867(1867-02-01) (aged 51)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting placeWest Nottingham Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseEmily W. Hopkins
Children4
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer

Early life edit

Henry Slaymaker Magraw was born on December 17, 1815, in West Nottingham, Maryland, to Rebecca (née Cochran) and James Magraw. His father was a Presbyterian minister and founded the Presbyterian Church in West Nottingham.[1][2][3][4][5] He attended West Nottingham Academy. He studied law in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with John R. Montgomery and was admitted to the bar on December 1, 1838.[2][5]

Career edit

Magraw moved to Pittsburgh. He was admitted to the bar in Allegheny County on February 4, 1839. He practiced law there with Robert McKnight.[2][5][6] He was a Democrat. In 1845, he was the Democratic nominee for Mayor of Pittsburgh.[7] He was appointed deputy attorney general of Allegheny County in 1845.[8] He resigned the post in October 1848.[9]

In 1850, Magraw moved to California and practiced law a year there.[3] In 1852, he returned to Pennsylvania and worked as an attorney there until 1863.[3] He was elected as State Treasurer of Pennsylvania and served in that role for three terms, from May 1, 1856, to May 1, 1859. He ran again in 1859, but lost to Eli Slifer.[2][10][11]

In July 1861, Magraw was present at the First Battle of Bull Run trying to retrieve the body of James Cameron. He was then imprisoned by the Confederates in Richmond, Virginia.[12][13]

In 1866, Magraw was elected as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County.[14][15] He served with Alexander Evans, William Lindsey and George P. Whitaker. The four delegates were known as "The Big Four" due to their physical size.[16]

Personal life edit

Magraw married Emily W. Hopkins. She was a descendant of George Ross, lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.[3][17] They had four children, Adam R. (died 1908), Rebecca (died 1865), Henry Stephen and Emily. His son Henry Stephen was a state examiner of banks in Montana.[3]

In 1862, Magraw moved back to West Nottingham and purchased his family's old home in West Nottingham.[3][4][18] He was a friend of James Buchanan. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church.[3] On January 29, 1867, Magraw had a stroke. He died on February 1, 1867, in Washington, D.C.[4][12] He was buried at West Nottingham Cemetery.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ The Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Maryland and District of Columbia. National Biographical Publishing Company. 1878. pp. 359–360. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Archive.org. 
  2. ^ a b c d The Bench and Bar of Pennsylvania. p. 842. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Archive.org. 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Montana: Its Story and Biography. Vol. 2. The American Historical Society. 1921. pp. 520–521. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Archive.org. 
  4. ^ a b c "Letters from Washington". The Baltimore Sun. February 1, 1867. p. 4. Retrieved October 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  5. ^ a b c d "Death of Hon. Henry S. Magraw". The Aegis. February 8, 1867. p. 2. Retrieved October 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  6. ^ "His Memory Revised". The Pittsburgh Post. October 28, 1885. p. 1. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  7. ^ "The Democrats of the city of Pittsburg..." York Gazette. January 7, 1845. p. 3. Retrieved October 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  8. ^ "Appointment by the Attorney Gen'l". The Pittsburgh Post. February 13, 1845. p. 2. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  9. ^ "Mr. Magraw gave notice..." The Pittsburgh Post. October 24, 1848. p. 2. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  10. ^ "State Treasurer". Democrat and Sentinel. January 23, 1856. p. 2. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  11. ^ "House". Lancaster Examiner and Herald. January 19, 1859. p. 3. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  12. ^ a b "Remains of H. S. Magraw". The Baltimore Sun. February 4, 1867. p. 1. Retrieved October 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  13. ^ "Letter from Mr. Magraw of Pennsylvania". The Pittsburgh Post. August 16, 1861. p. 2. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  14. ^ "Hon. Henry S. Magraw". The Baltimore Sun. November 19, 1866. p. 1. Retrieved October 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  15. ^ "Historical List, House of Delegates, Cecil County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. February 1, 2000. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  16. ^ "Death of George P. Whitaker". Cecil Whig. January 3, 1891. p. 3. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  17. ^ "Died". The Aegis. April 1, 1870. p. 2. Retrieved October 26, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
  18. ^ "The Lancaster Intelligencer..." The Pittsburgh Post. May 15, 1862. p. 2. Retrieved October 27, 2023 – via Newspapers.com. 
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