Peoria County, Illinois - Chapter 18: Governors and Other State Officers of Illinois, 1880

Chapter 18: Governors and Other State Officers of Illinois

Shadrach Bond - Was the first Governor of Illinois. lie was a native of Maryland and born in 1773 ; was raised on a farm ; received a common English education, and came to Illinois in 1794. He served as a delegate in Congress from 1811 to 1815, where he procured the right of pre-emption of public land. He was elected governor in 1818; was beaten for Congress in 1821 by Daniel P. Cook. He died at Kaskaskia, April 11, 1830.

Edward Coles - Was born Dec. 15, 1786, in Virginia. His father was a slave-holder ; gave his son a collegiate education, and left to him a large number of slaves. These he liberated, giving each head of a familj' 160 acres of land and a considerable sum of money. He was President Madison's piivate secretary. He came to Illinois in 1819, was elected governor in 1822, on the anti-slavery ticket; mdved to Philadelphia in 1833, and died in 1868.

Ninian Edwards - In 1809, on the formation of the Territory of Illinois, Mr. Edwards was appointed governor, which position he retained until the organization of the State, when he was sent to the LTnited States Senate. He was elected governor in 1826. He was a native of Maryland and born in 1775 ; receiving a collegiate education ; was Chief Justice of Kentucky, and a republican in politics.

John Reynolds - Was born in Pennsylvania in 1788, and came with his parents to Illinois in 1800, and in 1830 was elected Governor on the Democratic ticket, and afterwards served three terms in Congress. He received a classical education, yet was not polished. He was an ultra Democrat; attended the Charleston Convention in 1860, and . urged the seizure of the United States arsenals by the South. He died in 1865 at Belleville, childless.

Joseph Duncan. - In 1834 Joseph Duncan was elected governor by the Whigs, although formerly a Democrat. He had previously served four terms in Congress. He was born in Kentucky in 1794 ; had but a limited education ; served with distinction in the war of 1812 ; conducted the campaign of 1832 against Black Hawk. He came to Illinois when quite young.

Thomas Garlin - Was elected as a Democrat in 1838. He had but a meager education ; held many minor offices, and was active both in the war of 1812 and the Black Hawk war. He was born in Kentucky in 1789 : came to Illinois in 1812, and died at Carrollton, Feb. 14, 1852.

Thomas Ford - Was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1800 ; was brought by his widowed mother to Missouri in 1804, and shortly afterwards to Illinois. He received a good education, studied law ; was elected four times Judge, twice as Circuit Judge, Judge of Chicago, and Judge of Supreme Court. He was elected governor by the Democratic party in 1842 ; wrote his history of Illinois in 1847, and died in 1850.

Augustus C. French - Was born in New Hampshire in 1808 ; was admitted to the bar in 1831, and shortly afterwards moved to Illinois when in 1846 he was elected governor. On the adoption of the Constitution of 1848 he was again chosen, serving until 1853. He was a Democrat in politics.

Joel A. Matteson - Was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., in 1808. His father was a farmer, and gave his son only a common school education. He first entered upon active life as a small tradesman, but subsequently became a large contractor and manu-

William R. Bissell - Wius elected by the Republican party in 1856. He had previously served two terms in Congress ; was colonel in the Mexican war and has held minor ofiBcial positions. He was born in New York State in 1811 ; received a common education ; came to Illnois early in life and engaged in the medical profession. This he changed for the law and became a noted orator, and the standard bearer of the Republican party in Illinois. He died in 1860 while governor.

Richard Yates - "The war goveruor of Illinois," was born in Warsaw, Ky., in 1818; came to Illinois in 1831; served two terms in Congress; in 1860 was elected governor, and in 1865 United States Senator. He was a college graduate, and read law under J. J. Hardin. He rapidly rose in liis chosen profession and charmed" the people with oratory. He filled the gubernatorial chair during the trying days of the rebellion, and b)' his energy and devotion won the title of " War Governor." He became addicted to strong drink, and died a drunkard.

Richard J. Ogleshy - Was born in 1824. in Kentucky; an orphan at the age of eight, came to Illinois when onlj- twelve years old. He was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade ; worked some at fai-ming aud read law occasionally. He enlisted in the Mexican war and was chosen First Lieutenant. After his return he again took up the law, but during the gold fever of 1849 went to California : soon returned, and, in 1852, entered upon his illustrious political career. He raised the second regiment in the State, to suppress the rebellion, and for gallantry was promoted to major general. In 1863 he was elected Governor, and re-elected in 1872, and resigned for a seat in the United States Senate. He is a staunch Republican and resides at Decatur.

Shelby M. Cullom - Was born in Kentucky in 1S28 ; studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced the practice of his profession in 1848 ; was elected to the State Legislature in 1856, and again in 1860. Served on the war commission at Cairo, 1862, and was a member of the 39th, 40th and 41st Congress, in all of which he served with credit to his State. He was again elected to the State Legislature in 1872, and re-elected in 1874, and was elected governor of Illinois in 1876, which office he still . holds, and has administered with marked ability.

Lieutenant Governoes

Pierre Menard - Was the first lieutenant governor of Illinois. He was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1767. He came to Illinois in 1790 where he engaged in the Indian trade and became wealthy. He died in 1844. Menard county was named in his honor.

Zadock Caxey - Although on the opposition ticket to Governor Reynolds, the successful gubernatorial candidate, Casey was elected lieutenant governor in 1830. He subsequently served several terms in Congress.

John Moore - Was born in England in 1793; came to Illinois in 1830; was elected lieutenant governor in 1^42. He won the name of "Honest John Moore."

General History Of Illinois

William McMurtry - In 1 848 when Governor French was again chosen governor, William McMurtry, of Knox county, was elected lieutenant governor.

Gustavus P. Koerner - Was elected in 1852. He was born in Germany in 1809. At the age of 22 came to Illinois. In 1872 he was a candidate for Governor on Liberal ticket, but was defeated. *

John L. Beveridge - Was chosen Lieutenant-Governor in 1872. In 1873 Oglesby was elected to the United States Senate, and Beveridge became Governor.

United States Senators

Ninian Edwardit - On the organization of the State in 1818, Edwards, the popular Territorial Governor, was chosen Senator for the short terra, and re-elected for full term in 1819.

Jesse B. Thomas - One of the federal judges during the entire territorial existence was chosen Senator upon organization of the State, and re-elected in 1823, and served tUl 1829.

John McLean - In 1824 Edwards resigned, and McLean was elected to fill his unexpired term. He was born in North Carolina in 1791, and came to Illinois in 1815 ; served one term in Congress, and in 1829 was elected to the United States Senate, but died the following year. He is said to have been the most gifted man of his period in Illinois.

Elias Kent Kane - Was elected Nov. 30, 1824, for the term beginning March 4, 182.5. In 1830 he was re-elected, but died before the expii-ation of his term. He was a native of New York, and came to Illinois in 1814. He was first Secretary of State, and afterward State Senator.

David Jeivett Baker - Was appointed to fill the unexpired term of John McLean, Nov. 12, 1830, but the Legislature refused to endorse the choice. Baker was a native of Connecticut, born in 1792, and died in Alton in 1869.

John M Robinson - Instead of Baker, the Governor's appointee, the Legislature chose Robinson, and in 1834 he was re-elected. In 1843 was elected Supreme Judge of the State, but died within two months. He was a native of Kentucky, and came to Illinois when quite young.

Richard M Young - Was elected in 1836, and held his seat from March 4, 1837, to March 4, 1843, a full term. He was a native of Kentucky ; was Circuit Judge before his election to the Senate, and Supreme Judge in 1842. He died in an insane iisylum at Washington.

Samuel McRoberts - The first native lUiuoisan ever elevated to the high office of U. S. Senator from this State, was born in 1799, and died in 1843 on his return home from Washington. He was elected Circuit Judge in 1824, and March 4, 1841, took his seat in the U. S. Senate.

Sidney Breese - Was elected to the U. S. Senate, Deo. 17, 1842, and served a full term. He was born in Oneida county, N. Y. He was Major in the Black Hawk war; Circuit Judge, and in 1841 was elected Supreme Judge. He served a full term in the U. S. Senate, beginning March 4, 1843, after which he was elected to the Legislature, again Circuit Judge, and, in 1857, to tlie Supreme Court, which position he held until his death in 1878.

James Semple - Was the successor of Samuel McRoberts, was appointed by Governor Ford in 1843. He was afterwards elected Judge of the Supreme Court.

Stephen A. Douglas - Was elected Dec. 14, 1846. He had previously served three terms as Congressman. He became his own successor in 1853 and again in 1859. From his first entrance in the Senate he was acknowledged the jieer of Clay. Webster and Calliouii, witli whom he served his first term. His famous contest witii Abraham Lincoln for the Senate in 1858 is the most memorable in the annals of our country. It was called the Battle of the Giants, and resulted in Douglas' election to tiie Senate, and Lincoln to the Presidency. He was l)orn in Brandon, Vermont, April 23, 1813, came to Illinois in 1833, and died in 1861. He was aj)iiointed Secretary of State by Gov. Carlin in 1840, and shortly afterward to the Suj)reme Bench.

James Shields - Was elected and assumed his seat in the U. S. .Senate in 1849, March 4. He was born in Ireland in 1810, came to the L'nited States in 1827. He served in the Mexican army, was elected Senator from Minnesota, and in 1879 from Missouri for a short term, and died at Ottiimna, Iowa, while on a visit to a daughter there in the early part of 1879. He was the only statesman to represent three States in the U. S. Senate.

Lyman Trwmbull - Took his seat in the U. S. Senate March 4, 1855, and became his own successor in 1861. He had previously served one term in the Lower House of Congress, and served on the Supreme Bench. He was born in Connecticut ; studied law and came to Illinois in early life, where for years he was actively engaged in politics. He resides iu Chicago.

Orvill H. Browning - Was appointed U. S. Senator in 1861, to fill the seat made vacant by the death of Stephen A. Douglas, until a Senator could be regularly elected. Mr. Browning was born in Harrison county, Kentucky ; was admitted to the bar in 1831, and settled in Quincy, Illinois, where he engaged in the practice of law, and was instrumental, with his friend, Abraham Lincoln, in forming the Republican party of Illinois at the Bloomington Convention. He entered Johnson's cabinet as Secretary of the Interior, and in March, 1868, was designated by the President to perform the duties of Attorney General, in addition to his own, as Secretary of the Interior Department.

William A. Richardson - Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1863, to fill the unexpired term of his friend, Stephen A. Douglas. He was born in Fayette county, Ky., about 1810, studied law, and settled in Illinois ; served as captain in the Mexican War, and, on the battle-field of Buena Vista, was promoted for bravery, by a unanimous vote of his regiment. He served in the Lower House of Congress from 1847 to 1856, continually.

John A. Logan - Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1871. He was born in Jackson county, 111., Feb. 9, 1826, received a common school education, and enlisted as a private in the Mexican War, where he rose to the rank of Regimental Quartermaster. On returning home he studied law, and came to the bar in 1852 ; was elected in 1858 a Representative to the 36th Congress and re-elected to the 37th Congress, resigning in 1861 to take part in the suppression of the Rebellion ; served as Colonel and subsequently as a Major General, and commanded, with distinction, the armies of the Tennessee. He was again elected to the U. S. Senate in 1879 for six years.

David Davis - Was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1877 for a term of six years. He was born in Cecil county, Md., March 9, 1815, graduated at Kenyon College, Ohio, studied law, and removed to Illinois in 1835; was admitted to the bar and settled in Bloomington, where he has since resided and amassed a large fortune. For many years he was the intimate friend and associate of Abraham Lincoln, rode the circuit with him each year, and after Lincoln's election to the Presidency, was appointed to fill the position of Judge of the Supreme Court of the United Status.