Francis R. Shunk
Encyclopedia
Francis Rawn Shunk was the tenth Governor of Pennsylvania
from 1845 to 1848. Born into a poor family, Shunk served in the Pennsylvania militia during the War of 1812
. Both before and after the war, he served as a clerk and secretary in both the executive and legislative branches of Pennsylvania government, where he played an active role in moderating partisan tensions. When Democratic gubernatorial candidate Henry Muhlenberg
unexpectedly died in August 1844, Shunk was tapped to run by the Democratic Party and narrowly defeated Whig candidate Joseph Markle. He was re-elected in 1847 but, suffering from tuberculosis
, was forced to resign his position on 9 July 1848; he died eleven days later.
Born near Trappe, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, son of John Shunk and Elisabeth Rawn. He married Jane Findlay, daughter of former Pennsylvania Governor William Findlay, on December 11, 1820. Governor Shunk's ancestors were pioneers in Upper Montgomery County, arriving there in 1715 from Mutterstadt, Pfalz, Germany were his great grandparents Caspar and Anna Barbara Schunck. Their son Francis and his wife Elisabetha Reimer, daughter of Dionysius Friederich Reimer and his wife Elisabetha Weinacht, were also from Mutterstadt, and were Francis R. Shunk's grandparents. Shunk Hall on the University Park
campus of the Pennsylvania State University
is named in his honor. Shunk Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
is also named in Francis R. Shunk's honor.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
from 1845 to 1848. Born into a poor family, Shunk served in the Pennsylvania militia during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. Both before and after the war, he served as a clerk and secretary in both the executive and legislative branches of Pennsylvania government, where he played an active role in moderating partisan tensions. When Democratic gubernatorial candidate Henry Muhlenberg
Henry Muhlenberg
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg , was a German Lutheran pastor sent to North America as a missionary, requested by Pennsylvania colonists....
unexpectedly died in August 1844, Shunk was tapped to run by the Democratic Party and narrowly defeated Whig candidate Joseph Markle. He was re-elected in 1847 but, suffering from tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
, was forced to resign his position on 9 July 1848; he died eleven days later.
Born near Trappe, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, son of John Shunk and Elisabeth Rawn. He married Jane Findlay, daughter of former Pennsylvania Governor William Findlay, on December 11, 1820. Governor Shunk's ancestors were pioneers in Upper Montgomery County, arriving there in 1715 from Mutterstadt, Pfalz, Germany were his great grandparents Caspar and Anna Barbara Schunck. Their son Francis and his wife Elisabetha Reimer, daughter of Dionysius Friederich Reimer and his wife Elisabetha Weinacht, were also from Mutterstadt, and were Francis R. Shunk's grandparents. Shunk Hall on the University Park
University Park, Pennsylvania
University Park, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the location of the flagship campus of the Pennsylvania State University....
campus of the Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
is named in his honor. Shunk Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
is also named in Francis R. Shunk's honor.