William Hendricks

William Hendricks (* November 12, 1782 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, † May 16 1850 in Madison, Indiana ) was an American politician and 1822-1825, the third Governor of Indiana. This State, he also represented in both houses of Congress.

Early years and political rise

William Hendricks attended the local schools of his home and thereafter until 1810, the Jefferson College in Washington. He then moved to Cincinnati (Ohio ), where he studied law and worked as a teacher at the same time. After his graduation and admission to the bar, he moved to Madison in Indiana Territory. There he was working as a lawyer. At the same time he was one of the first newspapers out in this area. This he soon became so well known that he could pursue a political career. Hendricks political rise began in 1813 with his election to the territorial parliament. Shortly thereafter he was even President ( Speaker) of this body. In 1816, he served as Secretary to the Constituent Assembly of Indiana. Then he became the first member of the new state in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington DC selected. There he remained from 1816 to 1822.

Governor and U.S. Senator

On August 5, 1822 Hendricks was chosen as the candidate of the Democratic-Republican party as the new governor of Indiana. He took up his new post on December 5, 1822. During his tenure he supported the development and expansion of the education system in his State. At that time also the capital of Indiana Corydon was moved to Indianapolis. The decision to take this step had been taken, however, some years before, under Governor Jonathan Jennings. At that time, the population of Indiana increased strongly by many new immigrants.

In 1824, Hendricks was elected to the U.S. Senate. For this reason, he resigned as governor on February 12, 1825. Between 1825 and 1837, he now belonged to as Nationalrepublikaner this chamber of parliament; there he was chairman of the Committee for the development of roads and canals in the United States. After he was not confirmed in 1836, Hendricks moved back to his hometown of Madison, and was returned to the bar. Between 1929 and 1840 he was curator of the Indiana University in Bloomington. William Hendricks died in 1850 and was buried in Madison. He was married to Ann Parker Paul, with whom he had nine children. His nephew, Thomas A. Hendricks should also be Governor of Indiana and U.S. Senator, and finally Vice President of the United States.