Samuel Anderson PURVIANCE, Congress, PA (1809-1882)

PURVIANCE, Samuel Anderson, a Representative from Pennsylvania; born in Butler, Pa., January 10, 1809; after receiving a preliminary education, entered college and pursued a partial course and then studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1827 and commenced practice in Butler, Pa.; moved to Warren County and was prosecuting attorney for two years; returned to Butler, where he continued the practice of law; delegate to the state constitutional convention of 1837 and 1838; member of the state house of representatives in 1838 and 1839; delegate to the Whig National Convention in 1844 and to the Republican National Convention in 1856, 1860, 1864, and 1868; elected as an Opposition Party candidate to the Thirty-fourth Congress and reelected as a Republican to the Thirty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1855-March 3, 1859); unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1858; moved to Pittsburgh in 1859 and continued the practice of law; served as attorney general of Pennsylvania in 1861; resumed the practice of his profession in Pittsburgh until 1876, when he retired; member of the National Executive Committee of the Republican Party 1864-1868; member of the state constitutional convention of 1872; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1874 to the Forty-fourth Congress; died in Allegheny (now a part of Pittsburgh), Pa., February 14, 1882; interment in Highwood (formerly Bellevue) Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present