Dakota Territorial Governor. Born in Hartland, Niagara County, New York, he moved to Michigan as a young boy. When he came of age he embarked upon the lumber business, working mostly in the area of Saginaw, Michigan. In 1861, Edmunds moved to Yankton, Dakota Territory, having been appointed the Chief Clerk to the Surveyor General. Edmunds quickly proved his managerial abilities, not only handling the political correspondence from Washington, D.C., but also helping to plan the roads and towns in the sparsely populated region. As testament to Edmunds’ abilities, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him as the Governor of the Dakota Territory. Edmunds assumed office on November 2, 1863 and immediately went to work developing a public school system for the Territory, and planning a revenue system for the government. He proposed bills to increase agricultural and livestock production, which brought about the introduction of sheep to the Dakota Territory. Edmunds was also instrumental in negotiating treaties with the Native American tribes living along the Missouri River. These treaties were diplomatically successful but politically unpopular with certain influential residents of the Territory. On August 8, 1866 President Andrew Johnson removed Edmunds from office. Following his time as Governor, Edmunds continued to promote statehood. He opened the Yankton State Bank, and was a key player in expanding the railroad throughout the area. He was also a member of the Dakota Constitutional Convention in 1883. Governor Edmunds died in Yankton, South Dakota on February 13, 1908. Edmunds County, South Dakota, is named in his honor.
Dakota Territorial Governor. Born in Hartland, Niagara County, New York, he moved to Michigan as a young boy. When he came of age he embarked upon the lumber business, working mostly in the area of Saginaw, Michigan. In 1861, Edmunds moved to Yankton, Dakota Territory, having been appointed the Chief Clerk to the Surveyor General. Edmunds quickly proved his managerial abilities, not only handling the political correspondence from Washington, D.C., but also helping to plan the roads and towns in the sparsely populated region. As testament to Edmunds’ abilities, President Abraham Lincoln appointed him as the Governor of the Dakota Territory. Edmunds assumed office on November 2, 1863 and immediately went to work developing a public school system for the Territory, and planning a revenue system for the government. He proposed bills to increase agricultural and livestock production, which brought about the introduction of sheep to the Dakota Territory. Edmunds was also instrumental in negotiating treaties with the Native American tribes living along the Missouri River. These treaties were diplomatically successful but politically unpopular with certain influential residents of the Territory. On August 8, 1866 President Andrew Johnson removed Edmunds from office. Following his time as Governor, Edmunds continued to promote statehood. He opened the Yankton State Bank, and was a key player in expanding the railroad throughout the area. He was also a member of the Dakota Constitutional Convention in 1883. Governor Edmunds died in Yankton, South Dakota on February 13, 1908. Edmunds County, South Dakota, is named in his honor.
Bio by: Ernest
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