Wilson Lumpkin

Wilson Lumpkin ( born January 14, 1783 in the vicinity of the Dan River, Virginia; † December 28, 1870 in Athens, Georgia ) was an American politician and Governor of the State of Georgia, which he represented in both houses of Congress.

Early years

Just one year after his birth moved Lumpkins parents with him in tonight's Oglethorpe County, Georgia. In this area, there was the time to tensions between the white settlers and the native Indians. His former experience made ​​him come to the conclusion that the two races could never live peacefully side by side. After leaving school, he studied law, worked as a teacher and helped the local farm. In Athens, he opened a law office.

Political rise

Following his election to the House of Representatives from Georgia in 1804, began his life-long political career. He remained until 1812 in the Parliament of his country; In March 1815, he then moved for the first time in the Congress in Washington DC, where he sat until March 3, 1817 the House of Representatives. He first missed the re-election, returning in March 1827 for another four years in the Congress back. Basically, he was a proponent of the rights of individual states to the federal government. On the other hand, he introduced himself in 1830 against the policy of South Carolina, as they pulled out a separation of the Union to consider there. He prevented the participation of Georgia in this project.

Since 1828, the Indian question played an important role in Georgia. It had been discovered on the territory of the Cherokee in upstate gold. Under Governor George Gilmer Georgia ran a indian hostile policy. This was supported by President Andrew Jackson and his successor, Martin Van Buren. The goal was the expulsion or the relocation of the Indians in the Oklahoma Territory. Lumpkin this policy joined unconditionally.

Governor and Senator

1831, at the height of the Indian debate, he was elected governor of Georgia. After his re-election in 1833, he held that office until 1835. During his tenure, the Indians resettlement was initiated. Although Lumpkin ran into opposition from some Members in Washington, various churches and missionaries, but with the President and his government in the back he could carry out the resettlement program. For the Cherokee began the so-called Trail of Tears.

After his retirement from the office of governor, he was commissioner of the U.S. government for the resettlement of the Cherokee ( 1836-37 ). He then belonged to 1841 as successor to the retiring Senator John Pendleton King at the Congress. He promoted the establishment of the railway company Western and Atlantic Railroad, and served on the board of the University of Georgia. In 1860 he supported the withdrawal of Georgia from the Union. He survived the Civil War and died in 1870. His daughter later bequeathed his estate in Athens, University of Georgia.

Lumpkins was first married to Elizabeth Walker. His second wife, he married Anne Hopkins. Overall, he had nine children.