Biography

1792 -

KARNS, William, a Representative from Allegheny County; born, circa 1792 in Westmoreland County, Pa.; hatter; proprietor, grocery and boat store; member, County Democratic Committee (1839-1846); elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1842 and 1843 terms; not a candidate for reelection to the House for the 1844 term; postmaster, United States Postal Service, Allegheny City (1843-1849); unsuccessful campaign, mayor, Allegheny City (1850); appointed, school director, Allegheny City (1848-1851); appointed, weighmaster, Pennsylvania Canal, Pittsburg (now Pittsburgh) (1850-1852); appointed, director, United States Marine Hospital, Allegheny City (1853-1857).