.gif)
David Dunn (Governor)
Encyclopedia
David Dunn was an American
Democratic
politician and lawyer. He served as the 18th Governor of Maine
in 1844.
on January 17, 1811.
Dunn studied law under then future Governor, "Squire" John Fairfield
, of Saco
. He was admitted to the bar in 1833 and shortly thereafter opened up a practice at Poland Corner.
He represented the town of Poland
in the Maine House of Representatives
from 1840 to 1844 and was Speaker in 1843 and 1844. In that capacity Dunn served for three days as acting Governor in 1844 when President of the Senate, Edward Kavanagh
, resigned as acting Governor.
The game of political musical chairs continued with Dunn resigning and the new President of the Senate, John W. Dana, acting as Governor until newly elected Hugh J. Anderson was sworn in.
In 1845 Dunn was elected to the Maine Senate
and served as its President following the resignation of Stephen Chase of Fryeburg in 1846.
A nineteenth century writer compiling short biographies of the leading citizens of Poland referred to Dunn as: "an ardent Democrat, to which party he still adheres with a tenacity seldom witnessed." Dunn was rewarded for his tenacity by the Buchanan
administration which appointed him to a Clerkship in the Post Office in Washington, D.C.
, which he held from 1857 to 1861.
Following his return to Maine he practiced law in Mechanic Falls. He died on February 17, 1894 at the age of eighty-three.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician and lawyer. He served as the 18th Governor of Maine
Governor of Maine
The governor of Maine is the chief executive of the State of Maine. Before Maine was admitted to the Union in 1820, Maine was part of Massachusetts and the governor of Massachusetts was chief executive....
in 1844.
Biography
David Dunn was born in Cornish, MaineCornish, Maine
Cornish is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,269 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area...
on January 17, 1811.
Dunn studied law under then future Governor, "Squire" John Fairfield
John Fairfield
John Fairfield was a U.S. politician from Maine.He was born in Saco, Maine and attended the Saco schools, Thornton Academy and Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He then engaged in trade and studied law, being admitted to the bar in 1826, and practiced successfully in his native town and in...
, of Saco
Saco, Maine
Saco is a city in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 18,482 at the 2010 census. It is home to Ferry Beach State Park, Funtown Splashtown USA, Thornton Academy, as well as General Dynamics Armament Systems , a subsidiary of the defense contractor General Dynamics...
. He was admitted to the bar in 1833 and shortly thereafter opened up a practice at Poland Corner.
He represented the town of Poland
Poland, Maine
Poland is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,866 at the 2000 census. Home to Range Ponds State Park, Poland is a historic resort area...
in the Maine House of Representatives
Maine House of Representatives
The Maine House of Representatives is the lower house of the Maine Legislature. The House consists of 151 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state. Each voting member of the House represents around 8,450 citizens of the state...
from 1840 to 1844 and was Speaker in 1843 and 1844. In that capacity Dunn served for three days as acting Governor in 1844 when President of the Senate, Edward Kavanagh
Edward Kavanagh
Edward Kavanagh was a United States Representative and the 17th Governor of Maine. Born in Newcastle, Maine, he attended Montreal Seminary and Georgetown College, He graduated from St. Mary's College in 1813. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Damariscotta, Maine...
, resigned as acting Governor.
The game of political musical chairs continued with Dunn resigning and the new President of the Senate, John W. Dana, acting as Governor until newly elected Hugh J. Anderson was sworn in.
In 1845 Dunn was elected to the Maine Senate
Maine Senate
The Maine Senate is the upper house of the Maine Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maine. The Senate currently consists of 35 members representing an equal number of districts across the state, though the Maine Constitution allows for "an odd number of Senators, not less than...
and served as its President following the resignation of Stephen Chase of Fryeburg in 1846.
A nineteenth century writer compiling short biographies of the leading citizens of Poland referred to Dunn as: "an ardent Democrat, to which party he still adheres with a tenacity seldom witnessed." Dunn was rewarded for his tenacity by the Buchanan
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
administration which appointed him to a Clerkship in the Post Office in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, which he held from 1857 to 1861.
Following his return to Maine he practiced law in Mechanic Falls. He died on February 17, 1894 at the age of eighty-three.