Reuben Chapman

Reuben Chapman ( born July 15, 1799 in Bowling Green, Caroline County, Virginia; † May 17, 1882 in Huntsville, Alabama ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and the 13th Governor of Alabama.

Early years and political rise

Reuben Chapman, son of Colonel Reuben and Ann Chapman moved, in 1824 to Huntsville and studied with his brother Samuel Jura. He was admitted to the bar in 1825 and then opened his own law firm in Somerville. Chapman moved back to Huntsville in 1832 and decided to pursue a political career. He served until 1835 in the Senate of Alabama. After that, he was a deputy in the U.S. House of Representatives 1835-1847.

Governor of Alabama

In May 1847 he was nominated by the Democratic State Convention for the office of the Governor of Alabama. He won the election on August 2, 1847, and was sworn in on 16 December 1847. During his term of office ended the Mexican -American War, the debate regarding the slavery issue grew significantly and a state geologist was appointed to explore Alabama's mineral and ore deposits. The primary problem in Chapman's tenure was the remaining solvency of the state, so he introduced successful financial procedures that balance the extent of the losses suffered by the economy.

In February 1848, the Alabama Platform in the Democratic State Convention was adopted. This demanded that the U.S. Congress should ensure the slavery in the territories and no one who did not share this view, should be nominated for the presidency. Furthermore, in his office burned down in the State Capitol and the usual selection of judges was decreed. Chapman decided in 1849 not to compete again for election for the office of governor.

Further CV

Chapman remained active in politics. He was elected in 1855 in the House of Representatives from Alabama. He was also a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in the years 1856, 1860 and 1868. He was also Ambassador of the Confederate States in France between 1862 and 1865. Reuben Chapman died on 17 May 1882 and was on the buried Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville.

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