Samuel W. Pennypacker
|
|
Samuel Whitaker Pennypacker (9 April 1843 - 1 September 1916) was governor of Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1907. Pennypacker's early education was interrupted several time before he enlisted in the Union army during the American Civil War and fought at the Battle of Gettysburg. Following the war, Pennypacker studied law and opened his own law practice in 1866. His public life began in the 1880s with several judgeships; Pennypacker also wrote extensively as president of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. In 1902, he soundly defeated Robert Pattison, who was seeking a third nonconsecutive term as governor. During his term in office, Pennypacker signed into law the Child Labor Act of 1905, setting a minimum age and standard for young workers, and created the Pennsylvania State Police, and State Museum and oversaw the completion of the new state capitol building.
| Preceded by: William Alexis Stone | Governor of Pennsylvania 1903–1907 | Succeeded by: Edwin Sydney Stuart |