WILLIAM FINDLEY
From the West of the Mountains
Congressman, 1791-1821
by John Caldwell

First elected to the United States Congress in 1791, William Findley served in the Second through the Fifth Congresses. As a voice of reason, in 1794 he helped calm the passions of the Whiskey Insurrection. After declining nomination to the Sixth Congress because he allowed his name to be placed on the local ticket for state senator to rally western support for Thomas McKean's campaign for Governor, he served four years in the state senate. Elected to the Eighth Congress he served through the Fourteenth, the turbulent years of the Burr conspiracy, the embargo, and the War of 1812 as a strong supporter of Jefferson and Madison. He was known as "The Venerable Findley," and because he was the senior representative in years of service, he was in 1811 designated "Father of the House."