Michigan Governor. He graduated from Pennsylvania's Washington College in 1819, studied law, and became an attorney. In 1835 President Jackson appointed him Secretary of Michigan Territory and Governor ex officio, and he was Michigan's last Territorial Governor. Horner helped settle a boundary dispute with Ohio and served until Michigan became a state in 1836. He then accepted appointment as Secretary of the new Wisconsin Territory, and served until 1837, when he was named Register of the US Land Office in Green Bay. In 1846 he moved to Green Lake, where he operated a farm and served as Probate Judge for Marquette and Green Lake Counties. In 1849 he was a founder of Ripon, which he named for the English hometown of his ancestors. After settling there he managed his real estate holdings, was active in other ventures, and was a founder of Ripon College. His home still stands and is a local historic landmark, and the Ripon chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was named for him.
Michigan Governor. He graduated from Pennsylvania's Washington College in 1819, studied law, and became an attorney. In 1835 President Jackson appointed him Secretary of Michigan Territory and Governor ex officio, and he was Michigan's last Territorial Governor. Horner helped settle a boundary dispute with Ohio and served until Michigan became a state in 1836. He then accepted appointment as Secretary of the new Wisconsin Territory, and served until 1837, when he was named Register of the US Land Office in Green Bay. In 1846 he moved to Green Lake, where he operated a farm and served as Probate Judge for Marquette and Green Lake Counties. In 1849 he was a founder of Ripon, which he named for the English hometown of his ancestors. After settling there he managed his real estate holdings, was active in other ventures, and was a founder of Ripon College. His home still stands and is a local historic landmark, and the Ripon chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was named for him.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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