Stephen P. Hempstead

Stephen P. Hempstead ( born October 1, 1812 in New London, Connecticut; † 16 February 1883 in Dubuque, Iowa ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and from 1850 to 1854 the second Governor of the State of Iowa.

Early years and rise in Iowa

Stephen Hempstead attended the local schools of his home and then two years, the Illinois College at Jacksonville. After a private law school, he graduated with his uncle, he was admitted in 1836 as a lawyer. Then Hempstead moved to Dubuque in Iowa, where he worked in his new profession.

During the Black Hawk War Hempstead fought against the Indians. His political rise began in 1838. At that time he was elected to the Territorial Government ( Legislative Council ). This office he held until 1848. He was also a member of the Constituent Assembly of Iowa. In 1850 he was elected governor of his state.

Governor of Iowa

Stephen Hempstead took up his new post on December 4, 1850. In his four-year tenure originated in Iowa 52 new counties. Under Hempstead a frugal budget policy was operated. That's when in 1846 drafted state constitution was formally put into effect. The governor also encouraged the influx of new settlers in his state.

Further CV

After the expiration of his term of office Hempstead was legally working again. Between 1855 and 1867 he was a district judge in Dubuque County. From 1869 to 1873 he was auditor ( auditor) in Iowa and from 1882 until his death in February 1883 he was justice of the peace. Stephen Hempstead was married to Lavinia Moore Lackland, with whom he had six children.