John Winchester Dana | |
|---|---|
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| 4thChargé d'Affaires of the United States toBolivia | |
| In office February 23, 1854 – March 10, 1859 | |
| President | Franklin Pierce James Buchanan |
| Preceded by | Horace H. Miller |
| Succeeded by | John Cotton Smith |
| 19th and 21stGovernor of Maine | |
| In office January 3, 1844 | |
| Preceded by | David Dunn |
| Succeeded by | Hugh J. Anderson |
| In office May 13, 1847 – May 8, 1850 | |
| Preceded by | Hugh J. Anderson |
| Succeeded by | John Hubbard |
| President of theMaine Senate | |
| In office 1843–1844 | |
| Member of theMaine House of Representatives | |
| In office 1841–1842 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1808-06-21)June 21, 1808 Fryeburg, District of Maine, United States |
| Died | December 22, 1867(1867-12-22) (aged 59) Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina |
| Resting place | Village Cemetery, Fryeburg, Maine |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Parent | Judah Dana (father) |
| Education | Fryeburg Academy |
| Profession |
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John Winchester Dana (June 21, 1808 – December 22, 1867) was an American businessman, diplomat andDemocratic politician in the U.S. state ofMaine. He served as the 19th and 21stgovernor of Maine and asChargé d'affaires toBolivia during the 19th century.
Dana was born inFryeburg in theDistrict of Maine, the son ofJudah Dana and Elizabeth Ripley.[1][2] He studied in the local schools and atFryeburg Academy before pursuing a business career.[3]
Dana served as a Democratic member of theMaine House of Representatives from 1841 to 1842.[4] He was a member of theMaine State Senate from 1843 to 1844. and was elected president of the Maine State Senate.[5] He became the Governor of Maine on January 3, 1844 after Acting GovernorDavid 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 againstLiberty Party candidateSamuel Fessenden andWhig Party candidate Daniel Bronson. No candidate received a majority of the vote; the Democratic dominated Legislature selected Dana.[6] He was successful in his re-election bid in 1847 and 1848.[7] 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 appointedChargé d'affaires toBolivia in 1853 by PresidentFranklin Pierce.[8] On March 10, 1859, Dana resigned his position and returned to Maine to run for governor. He was defeated byIsrael Washburn Jr.
After losing the election, Dana sold his property and moved to South America to raise sheep.[9] While assisting in a plague stricken area, Dana contractedcholera inArgentina and died inRosario, Santa Fe.[10] Years later he was re-interred in the Village Cemetery in Fryeburg, Maine.[11]
Dana married Eliza Ann Osgood in 1834 and they had five children.[2] Dana's fatherJudah Dana was a Maine statesman andU.S. Senator.[12]
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Maine 1846, 1847,1848 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Maine 1861 | Succeeded by Bion Bradbury |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Maine 1844 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of Maine 1847–1850 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
