James A. Beaver
James Addams Beaver (
21 October 1837–
31 January 1914) was an
American politician who served as
Governor of
Pennsylvania from
1887 to
1891.
Beaver, an attorney, served in the
Union army during the
American Civil War and rose to command the 148th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was wounded at
Ream's Station, North Carolina, in
1864, an injury that resulted his amputation of his right leg.
Following the war, Beaver pursued his law career, declining offers to run for public office until
1881 (including a spot as vice president on
James Garfield's Republican ticket). He lost to
Robert Pattison, but, because the new state constitution of 1874 prohibited governors from serving multiple consecutive terms, Beaver ran again and served as governor for the four years between Pattison's two non-consecutive terms. In
1895, he was appointed as one of the judges of the first state Superior Court, and office he held until his death in
1914.
Beaver Stadium, located on the campus of
Pennsylvania State University is named in his honor.
*
General James A. Beaver Monument*
Penn State Presidents
