Representative Almon Heath Read

Almon Heath Read (June 12, 1790 – June 3, 1844) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania’s 17th congressional district from 1842 to 1843 and for Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district from 1843 until his death in 1844. He was born in Shelburne, Vermont, on June 12, 1790, in the early years of the new republic. Little is recorded about his family background or early youth, but his subsequent education and public career indicate an early commitment to professional advancement and public service.

Read pursued higher education at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, one of the leading institutions of New England at the time. He graduated in 1811, receiving a classical education that prepared him for the legal profession and public life. After college he moved to Pennsylvania, where he began to establish himself in both legal and civic affairs. By 1815 he was serving as county clerk, a position he held until 1820, gaining practical experience in local administration and the workings of county government.

While engaged in his duties as county clerk, Read studied law and prepared for admission to the bar. He was admitted to the bar in 1816 and commenced the practice of law in Montrose, Pennsylvania. Montrose, the seat of Susquehanna County, became his professional and political base for the remainder of his life. His legal practice, combined with his earlier administrative experience, helped to build his reputation in the community and opened the way to elective office in the state legislature.

Read entered state politics as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, in which he served from 1827 to 1832. During these years he participated in the legislative process at a time when Pennsylvania was grappling with issues of internal improvements, banking, and the expansion of democratic participation. Following his service in the lower house, he advanced to the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 11th district from 1833 to 1837. His tenure in both houses of the Pennsylvania legislature reflected growing influence within the Democratic Party and provided him with extensive experience in state-level policymaking.

After several years in the legislature, Read was entrusted with a key executive financial role in state government. He served as Pennsylvania State Treasurer from 1840 to 1841, overseeing the state’s finances during a period marked by economic uncertainty in the wake of the Panic of 1837. In this capacity he was responsible for managing public funds and state indebtedness, further solidifying his standing as a capable public official.

Read’s state-level prominence led to his election to the national legislature. A member of the Democratic Party representing Pennsylvania, he was elected to the Twenty-seventh Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Davis Dimock Jr. He took his seat as the representative for Pennsylvania’s 17th congressional district in 1842. In the subsequent election he was reelected to the Twenty-eighth Congress, this time representing Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district, and he continued to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1843 to 1844. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, as the nation confronted questions of economic policy, territorial expansion, and party realignment, and he participated in the democratic process by representing the interests of his Pennsylvania constituents over two terms in office.

Almon Heath Read’s congressional career was cut short by his death in office. He died in Montrose, Pennsylvania, on June 3, 1844, while still serving in the Twenty-eighth Congress. He was interred in Montrose Cemetery. His death placed him among the members of the United States Congress who died in office during the nineteenth century, closing a public career that had spanned local administration, both houses of the Pennsylvania legislature, a statewide executive office, and service in the national legislature.