Weldon Brinton Heyburn (Pennsylvania politician)

Weldon Brinton Heyburn (March 8, 1903 - February 7, 1979) was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate as a Democrat from 1937 to 1938 and then as a Republican from 1938 to 1949. He served as Pennsylvania State Auditor from 1949 to 1953 and as Pennsylvania State Treasurer from 1952 to 1957.^[1]

Early life and education[]

Heyburn was born in Concordville, Pennsylvania to Harry and Margaret (Darlington) Heyburn. He attended both public and private Quaker schools as well as the Maplewood Academy until age 15 when he completed his education at home.

After graduation, Heyburn joined his father's dairy farm business, H.H. Heyburn & Sons in Concordville, Pennsylvania.^[1]

Career[]

In 1936, Heyburn ran for Pennsylvania State Senator from Delaware County against the powerful incumbent Republican political boss, John J. McClure. Heyburn lost to McClure in the Republican primary by 17,000 votes, however Heyburn declared as an independent and shocked the political establishment by defeating McClure by 19,000 votes in the general election on the Democratic ticket.^[2]

From 1937 to 1938, Heyburn voted with the Democrats and served on the Agriculture commission. In 1938, he re-aligned with the Republican caucus and served on the Labor and Industry, Finance, and Rules commissions. From 1947 to 1949, Heyburn served as President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania State Senate. In 1949, Heyburn lost reelection to George Robert Watkins.^[1]

Heyburn served as Pennsylvania Auditor General from 1949 to 1953 and as Pennsylvania State Treasurer from 1952 to 1957.^[3]

From 1949 to 1957, Heyburn served as Chair of the Delaware River Port Authority, president of the State Public School Building Association, secretary of the State Highway and Bridge Authority, as a member of the Brandywine Battlefield Park Commission and president of the American Association of Bridges, Tunnels and Turnpikes.

Heyburn served as board director, vice president and executive member of the Pennsylvania Motor Federation-AAA. In 1949, he became director and president of the Keystone Automobile Club of Philadelphia. He belonged to the Manufacturers and Bankers Club of Philadelphia and the Masons.

In 1967, he resigned from Heyburn & Sons and served as Delaware County representative to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) until 1973.

He served as a member of the Board of Governor's Traffic and Transportation Council of Greater Philadelphia. He chaired the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District and was on the board of directors of the Suburban Loan Company.^[1]

Personal life[]

In 1936, Heyburn married Dorothy Schmidt and together they had two children.

Weldon Brinton Heyburn grave in Birmingham-Lafayette Cemetery

Heyburn is interred at the Birmingham-Lafayette cemetery in Birmingham Township, Pennsylvania.^[4]

References[]