George A. Jenks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George A. Jenks was born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on March 25, 1836.

He proceeded to graduate from Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1858. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. Two years later he married Mary A. Mabon, and they had one daughter. Jenks first worked as a lawyer before beginning a career as a judge and politician. He served as a Congressmen for Pennsylvania from 1875-1877, in the 44th Congress. He served as chairman of the United States House Committee on Invalid Pensions during the Forty-fourth Congress. He was also one of the managers appointed by the House of Representatives in 1876 to conduct the impeachment proceedings against William W. Belknap, ex-Secretary of War.

Following his tenure in Congress, Jenks was nominated for judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1880, before being selected as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Interior; a position which he held from 1885-1886.

From 1886-1889 Jenks served as United States Solicitor General, during President Grover Cleveland’s first term. He was the Democratic nominee for governorship of Pennsylvania in 1898, as well as the Democratic senatorial nominee in 1899 during the Quay deadlock. Jenks died February 10, 1908 at his home in Brookville, Pennsylvania.

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Office of the Solicitor General.

[edit] Sources

Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

The Political Graveyard

Preceded by At-large on a general ticket: Charles Albright, Glenni W. Scofield, Lemuel Todd	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 25th congressional district 1875-1877	Succeeded by Harry White
Preceded by John Goode	Solicitor General 1886–1889	Succeeded by Orlow W. Chapman