Civil War Union Army Officer, US Congressman, Missouri Governor. The nephew of powerful Kentucky Unionist Senator John Jordan Crittenden, he served in the Union Army during the Civil War first as a Captain, then as Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th Missouri Militia Cavalry. During the war, however, he was appointed as Missouri's Attorney General, which he served in from 1864 until 1865. He was twice elected to represent Missouri's 7th District in the United States House of Representatives, serving first from 1873 to 1875, then from 1877 to 1879. In 1881 he was elected Governor of Missouri, and served in that office from 1881 until 1885. While Governor, he became a part of Frontier Lore when famed western outlaw Jesse James was at his height during his administration. The Governor put the $10,000 reward out for him, which inspired Bob and Charlie Ford to murder him and collect the reward in 1882. The pair turned themselves in after the shooting, were tried and convicted for murder, and immediately received full pardons from Governor Crittenden. Thomas T. Crittenden served as United States Consul in Mexico after the end of his term as Missouri Governor, and died in Kansas City, Kansas in 1909.
Civil War Union Army Officer, US Congressman, Missouri Governor. The nephew of powerful Kentucky Unionist Senator John Jordan Crittenden, he served in the Union Army during the Civil War first as a Captain, then as Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th Missouri Militia Cavalry. During the war, however, he was appointed as Missouri's Attorney General, which he served in from 1864 until 1865. He was twice elected to represent Missouri's 7th District in the United States House of Representatives, serving first from 1873 to 1875, then from 1877 to 1879. In 1881 he was elected Governor of Missouri, and served in that office from 1881 until 1885. While Governor, he became a part of Frontier Lore when famed western outlaw Jesse James was at his height during his administration. The Governor put the $10,000 reward out for him, which inspired Bob and Charlie Ford to murder him and collect the reward in 1882. The pair turned themselves in after the shooting, were tried and convicted for murder, and immediately received full pardons from Governor Crittenden. Thomas T. Crittenden served as United States Consul in Mexico after the end of his term as Missouri Governor, and died in Kansas City, Kansas in 1909.
Bio by: RPD2
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