Joel Aldrich Matteson

Joel Aldrich Matteson ( born August 8, 1808 in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, † January 31, 1873 in Chicago, Illinois ) was an American politician and from 1853 to 1857, the tenth Governor of the State of Illinois.

Early years and political rise

Joel Matteson attended the local schools of his home. Before his arrival in Illinois, he was a primary school teacher in New York State; then he helped the construction of railways in the south. In 1837 he settled in Joliet (Illinois ). There he ran a weaving among others. Between 1842 and 1853, was a deputy in the Matteson House of Representatives from Illinois. After he was nominated by the Democratic Party as a candidate for the gubernatorial election of 1852, he won this on November 2.

Governor of Illinois

Mattesons four-year term began on January 10, 1853. As governor, he pushed for an improved education system. 1853 Illinois Wesleyan University was founded in Bloomington. Also in 1853, the first exhibition of Illinois State took place. The governor encouraged the further expansion of the railway in his state. The detention center in Alton was expanded and the agricultural society of Illinois was founded. During his tenure, the Republican Party was founded, which should make the governors of Illinois for many years soon. In May 1856 the first regional congress of the party in Illinois was held. Also, the first Republican President Abraham Lincoln had his political roots in Illinois. Matteson was the last governor of the Democrats until 1893.

Another Journey

Since Matteson because of a constitutional provision was not allowed to be re-elected directly, he resigned from the office on 12 January 1857. He then became president of the Chicago and Alton Railroad Company Railroad. Joel Matteson died in January 1873. He was married to Mary Fish, with whom he had seven children.