Utah Governor. Before entering into politics, he was a lawyer and newspaper editor of the Fort Wayne Times. As a candidate, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Indiana State House of Representatives in 1854, as Secretary of State of Indiana in 1856 and U.S. Congress in 1858. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln appointed as a Republican Governor of Utah Territory. However after serving for a month, Dawson left office because of tensions with Utah Mormon residents. Leaving the territory on an eastward stage line he stopped at the Pony Express station at Mountain Dell, Utah. There he was attacked and beaten by a group Mormon vigilantes. Four of the attackers were captured and three were shot and killed trying to escape from sheriff deputies. Returning to Indiana, he was a writer and noted biographer, until his death at age 56.
Utah Governor. Before entering into politics, he was a lawyer and newspaper editor of the Fort Wayne Times. As a candidate, he ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Indiana State House of Representatives in 1854, as Secretary of State of Indiana in 1856 and U.S. Congress in 1858. In 1861, President Abraham Lincoln appointed as a Republican Governor of Utah Territory. However after serving for a month, Dawson left office because of tensions with Utah Mormon residents. Leaving the territory on an eastward stage line he stopped at the Pony Express station at Mountain Dell, Utah. There he was attacked and beaten by a group Mormon vigilantes. Four of the attackers were captured and three were shot and killed trying to escape from sheriff deputies. Returning to Indiana, he was a writer and noted biographer, until his death at age 56.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
Advertisement
