James Beaver, courageous Republican Governor of Pennsylvania
Grand Old Partisan celebrates salute James Beaver, born near Harrisburg, October 21st 1837. He enlisted in a militia company led by Andrew Curtin, a future Republican Governor. Outbreak of civil war, the young lawyer’s 2nd Pennsylvania Volunteers marched to defend Washington, DC.
Beaver was soon promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 45th Pennsylvania Volunteers, which saw combat at Hilton Head and Port Royal, South Carolina. Within months he won promotion to Colonel of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers. His regiment fought at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse and Cold Harbor. After amputation of his bullet-shattered right leg at Petersburg, the 26-year old was mustered out a brigadier general.
Beaver held a leadership position in the Grand Army of the Republic, the GOP-aligned Union veterans organization, and a Republican Governor commissioned him a state militia major general. His patriotic eloquence made him a popular speaker on behalf of Republican candidates. He declined several offers to run for office, even the vice presidential nomination along with James Garfield.
In 1882, he did accept the Pennsylvania GOP’s nomination for Governor, but lost because of a Republican splinter candidate. Four years later, a unified party carried him to victory. While reducing state debt, his administration improved roads and schools and conservation, and provided relief to victims of the Johnstown flood. In later years, Beaver was a coal company president, Pennsylvania State University trustee, and state judge.
Penn State's Beaver Stadium was voted the Best Stadium in College Football.
Beaver was soon promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 45th Pennsylvania Volunteers, which saw combat at Hilton Head and Port Royal, South Carolina. Within months he won promotion to Colonel of the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteers. His regiment fought at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse and Cold Harbor. After amputation of his bullet-shattered right leg at Petersburg, the 26-year old was mustered out a brigadier general.
Penn State's Beaver Stadium was voted the Best Stadium in College Football.
Back to Basics for the Republican Party is my civil rights history of the GOP. To quote the book: "The more we Republicans know about the history of our party, the more Democrats will worry about the future of theirs. For more information, see www.grandoldpartisan.com.
Here is a TikTok Video about this article.
Here is a Rumble Video about this article.
Here is my Substack about this article.
Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement.
Each day, his YouTube videos and TikTok videos and Rumble videos and Grand Old Partisan blog celebrate more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states.
Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision.
"This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!"
"Your book is a national treasure. I'm always recommending it."
"Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP."
"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan."
"Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before."
and
"one of the best books I ever read"
Comments
Post a Comment