Ohio Governor. The son of a Welsh immigrant, he was born near Shandon in Butler County, Ohio. He began teaching school when he was twenty years old and later operated a boarding school. While teaching, he studied law, and was eventually admitted to the bar. He practiced law as an attorney in Hamilton, Ohio and was a partner of former U.S. Congressman John Woods. He became a member of the Whig Party and was a devoted campaigner for the presidential campaign of William H. Harrison and John Tyler. He was nominated by the Whig Party for the office of governor in 1846, and favored state issued currency over a national standard. He was also an advocate of the "Black Laws" and supported racial equality. He won a close vote against David Tod, became Ohio's 19th Governor, and served from 1846 to 1849. While in office, he honored the nation's call for Ohio troops to participate in the Mexican American War, but condemned the war and President James K. Polk. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1848, moved to Illinois the following year, and purchased a large farm near Rockford. He was appointed by President Lincoln as an examiner in the pension office at Washington D.C. and later declined an appointment to become a United States Diplomat as counsel to Tangier, Morocco in 1868. He was later tried and acquitted in court for shooting two rowdy men, killing one of them, at a party following the marriage of his son. He died at his residence in 1873.
Ohio Governor. The son of a Welsh immigrant, he was born near Shandon in Butler County, Ohio. He began teaching school when he was twenty years old and later operated a boarding school. While teaching, he studied law, and was eventually admitted to the bar. He practiced law as an attorney in Hamilton, Ohio and was a partner of former U.S. Congressman John Woods. He became a member of the Whig Party and was a devoted campaigner for the presidential campaign of William H. Harrison and John Tyler. He was nominated by the Whig Party for the office of governor in 1846, and favored state issued currency over a national standard. He was also an advocate of the "Black Laws" and supported racial equality. He won a close vote against David Tod, became Ohio's 19th Governor, and served from 1846 to 1849. While in office, he honored the nation's call for Ohio troops to participate in the Mexican American War, but condemned the war and President James K. Polk. He was not a candidate for reelection in 1848, moved to Illinois the following year, and purchased a large farm near Rockford. He was appointed by President Lincoln as an examiner in the pension office at Washington D.C. and later declined an appointment to become a United States Diplomat as counsel to Tangier, Morocco in 1868. He was later tried and acquitted in court for shooting two rowdy men, killing one of them, at a party following the marriage of his son. He died at his residence in 1873.
Bio by: K Guy
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