Governor. Trained as a lawyer, he distinguished himself in that profession and developed an interest in community affairs. He was appointed as an associate justice of the Maine Supreme Court by Governor John Winchester Dana in 1847, but resigned that position in 1855 to devote himself to partisan politics. He was nominated by the Democratic party for governor in 1855. When no candidate received a majority of the vote, the election was thrown into the state legislature where Democrats had a majority. He was elected governor. The following year, when he ran for reelection, there was dissention within the Democratic party over the issues of slavery and temperance. He was defeated by Hannibal Hamlin, the candidate of the newly formed Republican party. During his one year in office, the Maine Prohibition Act of 1851, which was the brainchild of Neal Dow, was repealed and replaced with a law that allowed the sale of liquor to a limited number of people in each municipality. When he left office, he moved to Boston disenchanted with his party's prospects for success in Maine. He died in Boston and was returned to Portland, Maine only for burial.
Governor. Trained as a lawyer, he distinguished himself in that profession and developed an interest in community affairs. He was appointed as an associate justice of the Maine Supreme Court by Governor John Winchester Dana in 1847, but resigned that position in 1855 to devote himself to partisan politics. He was nominated by the Democratic party for governor in 1855. When no candidate received a majority of the vote, the election was thrown into the state legislature where Democrats had a majority. He was elected governor. The following year, when he ran for reelection, there was dissention within the Democratic party over the issues of slavery and temperance. He was defeated by Hannibal Hamlin, the candidate of the newly formed Republican party. During his one year in office, the Maine Prohibition Act of 1851, which was the brainchild of Neal Dow, was repealed and replaced with a law that allowed the sale of liquor to a limited number of people in each municipality. When he left office, he moved to Boston disenchanted with his party's prospects for success in Maine. He died in Boston and was returned to Portland, Maine only for burial.
Bio by: Thomas Fisher
Family Members
Advertisement
