Ninian Edwards
Ninian Edwards ( born March 17, 1775, Montgomery County, Maryland, † July 20, 1833 in Belleville, Illinois ) was an American politician ( Democratic- Republican) and 1809-1818 Territorial Governor and 1826-1830 the 3rd Governor of Illinois. He also represented the state of Illinois in the U.S. Senate.
Early years and political rise
Ninian Edwards was the son of Benjamin Edwards, who was in 1795 for a short time as a representative of Maryland's U.S. House of Representatives. He attended Dickinson College in Carlisle (Pennsylvania). After a subsequent study of law and qualifying as a lawyer, he settled in Russellville (Kentucky) as a lawyer down. In 1796 Edwards was elected to the House of Representatives from Kentucky, where he remained until 1797. Subsequently, he held several judicial positions until he had made it in 1808 to the Supreme Judge ( Chief Justice ) of the state. A year later, on 24 April 1809 he was appointed by U.S. President James Madison appointed governor of the Illinois Territory. This office he held until 1818.
Senator and Governor
After the end of his tenure as Territorial Governor Edwards was one of the first two U.S. senators, representing the new state of Illinois in Congress. He remained until 1824 in Washington. Subsequently, he was appointed U.S. ambassador to Mexico. However, a post he had to cancel, because he had to do in Washington before a committee of inquiry a statement. It was about the accusation that he had Treasury William Harris Crawford offended.
On August 7, 1826 Edwards was elected as the third Governor of Illinois. His four-year term began on 6 December in 1826. Meanwhile, the state's capital was moved from Kaskaskia after Vandalia. (1839 it should be then moved permanently to Springfield. ) As governor of Illinois Edwards began for the relocation of the Indians, which amounted to a displacement. As a result, re- occurred Indian uprisings. In 1827, Congress provided land for the construction of the Illinois - Michigan Canal available. This was a step in the expansion of the transport routes. Also in 1827 was started in Alton with the construction of a prison that could be completed but only under Governor John Reynolds early 1830s.
During the tenure of Edward, the population of the State grew rapidly. Even in 1820 this figure stood at just over 55,000 in 1830, 157 445 people were living in Illinois. On December 6, 1830 Edwards handed the governorship to his successor, John Reynolds.
Further CV
After the end of his tenure, Ninian Edwards withdrew into private life. He died on July 20, 1833 in Belleville of cholera and was buried there. His remains were transferred in 1855 to Springfield and buried there. Edwards was married to Elvira Lane; their son Benjamin was a successful lawyer in Illinois and was politically active as a member of the Whigs.