William Marvin

William Marvin ( born April 14, 1808 in Fairfield, Herkimer County, New York, † July 9, 1902 in Skaneateles, New York) was an American lawyer and politician from July to December 1865, the seventh Governor of the State of Florida.

Early years and political rise

William Marvin grew up in upstate New York, where he attended the local schools and later the Homer Academy. After studying law he was admitted to the bar in 1833. In 1835 he was appointed by President Andrew Jackson for District Attorney of Key West in the Florida territory. There he became a member of the Territorial Administration and a member of the Commission, which drafted the 1839 Constitution for the future state of Florida. Also in 1839 he was appointed by President Martin Van Buren to a judge in Florida. In 1847, President James K. Polk appointed him as a judge on the federal appeals court for the southern area of Florida. This position kept Marvin until 1863. At this time, the nation was already in the middle of Civil War. Marvin came back from his judgeship in 1863 and returned for a short time in his New York home.

Governor of Florida

After the escape and the subsequent arrest of Governor Abraham K. Allison Marvin was appointed by President Andrew Johnson as provisional governor of Florida. He took up his new post on July 13, 1865. Its main task was to restore a government after the end of the civil war. To this end, he called an assembly, which met in October to discuss a new constitution. In addition, the secession decision of 1861 had to be revoked. The new constitution provided inter alia, the creation of the office of Lieutenant Governor. This Constitution came into force on 7 November, but was never approved by the people in a vote. Also, Congress declined under the influence of the radical Republicans from the constitution and introduced Florida, like the other former Confederate States, as part of the reconstruction under military occupation law. It was not until 1868 then a new constitution was drafted. Marvin remained until the 20th of December at the office. On this day he was replaced by David S. Walker.

Another Journey

In 1866, Marvin was elected by the citizens of Florida in the U.S. Senate. There, also, the seat he was denied by the radical Republicans, like most other representatives of the Southern States. After these experiences, Marvin retired from politics. He had held no other public office. He left Florida and moved to Skaneateles in New York, where he worked as a lawyer again. There he died in 1902.