Missouri Governor. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, he studied law, was admitted to the bar and had hopes of a career as a lawyer. He moved to Potosi, Missouri, in 1811 and was farming on a parcel of ground he received through a Spanish land grant. During the War of 1812, he served in the Missouri territorial militia and fought in several campaigns. After the war, he was Sheriff of Washington County, (1815-19), a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, (1822-23) and Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, (1828-32). In 1832, he was elected as a Democrat the 5th Governor of Missouri, serving until 1836. While in office, he the state penitentiary system approved, the public school system was advanced and the state debt was reduced. After his term, he served as U.S. surveyor general of Missouri and Illinois, (1836-40) and was one of the commissioners which negotiated the Missouri and Arkansas boundary issue in 1843. He died at age 54 in Herculaneum, Missouri.
Missouri Governor. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, he studied law, was admitted to the bar and had hopes of a career as a lawyer. He moved to Potosi, Missouri, in 1811 and was farming on a parcel of ground he received through a Spanish land grant. During the War of 1812, he served in the Missouri territorial militia and fought in several campaigns. After the war, he was Sheriff of Washington County, (1815-19), a member of the Missouri House of Representatives, (1822-23) and Lieutenant Governor of Missouri, (1828-32). In 1832, he was elected as a Democrat the 5th Governor of Missouri, serving until 1836. While in office, he the state penitentiary system approved, the public school system was advanced and the state debt was reduced. After his term, he served as U.S. surveyor general of Missouri and Illinois, (1836-40) and was one of the commissioners which negotiated the Missouri and Arkansas boundary issue in 1843. He died at age 54 in Herculaneum, Missouri.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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