Illinois Governor. He worked in his father’s brickyard and during the Civil War, he served as a Private in the 33rd Illinois Infantry, Union Army and was severely wounded at the Vicksburg Campaign. Refusing a discharge, he spent the rest of the war guarding a prison boat. After the war, he graduated from Wesleyan University in 1868, studied law, was admitted to the bar and established a legal career in Bloomington, Illinois. He was the Bloomington's Corporation legal counsel, in 1871, served as attorney for McLean County, (1872-80) and was a member of the Illinois State Senate, (1880-84). In 1888, he was elected as a Republican the 21st Governor of Illinois, serving until 1893. As Governor, the state historical library was founded, an amendment and codification of the state public school law was made and women were allowed the right to vote for school officers in all elections. After leaving office, he served as a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission, (1899-1906) and was a delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention, in 1920.
Illinois Governor. He worked in his father’s brickyard and during the Civil War, he served as a Private in the 33rd Illinois Infantry, Union Army and was severely wounded at the Vicksburg Campaign. Refusing a discharge, he spent the rest of the war guarding a prison boat. After the war, he graduated from Wesleyan University in 1868, studied law, was admitted to the bar and established a legal career in Bloomington, Illinois. He was the Bloomington's Corporation legal counsel, in 1871, served as attorney for McLean County, (1872-80) and was a member of the Illinois State Senate, (1880-84). In 1888, he was elected as a Republican the 21st Governor of Illinois, serving until 1893. As Governor, the state historical library was founded, an amendment and codification of the state public school law was made and women were allowed the right to vote for school officers in all elections. After leaving office, he served as a member of the Interstate Commerce Commission, (1899-1906) and was a delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention, in 1920.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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