William Woodbridge

William Woodbridge ( born August 20, 1780 in Norwich, Connecticut, † October 20, 1861 in Detroit, Michigan ) was an American politician and from 1840 to 1841, the second Governor of the State of Michigan.

Early years

As early as the year 1790 drew Woodbridge with his family to Marietta, Ohio. There he attended the local schools. After a subsequent study of law at the Litchfield Law School in Connecticut, he began to practice as a lawyer in Marietta. Where he met Lewis Cass, with whom he became friends soon.

Political rise

In 1807, Woodbridge was elected to the House of Representatives from Ohio. Between 1808 and 1814, he was a prosecutor in Washington County. At the same time he was also a member of the State Senate. In 1814 he followed the request of his friend Lewis Cass, who had become Territorial Governor in Michigan Territory, and took up the position of Secretary of State in the territory of. Following the appointment by President James Madison his move was to Detroit.

This office he held from 1814-1828, where he also represented 1819-1820, the territory as a non-voting delegate in the U.S. Congress. In his capacity as secretary of state he had represented during his temporary absence Governor Cass frequently. Between 1828 and 1832 was judge of the Territorial Court Woodbridge. As a member of the Whigs, he was replaced in 1832 by President Andrew Jackson by a Democrat. In the former border dispute between Ohio and Michigan to the so-called Toledo Strip to Woodbridge sat vehemently for the interests of Michigan. In 1835, Woodbridge was a member of the Constituent Assembly of Michigan and 1837-1839 he was in the state Senate. On November 4, 1839, he was elected as a candidate of the Whigs as the new governor.

Governor of Michigan

William Woodbridge exercised the office of the Governor of Michigan between January 7, 1840 and February 23, 1841. During this time, he had to contend with the consequences of the economic crisis of 1837. He accused his predecessor Stevens Mason corruption, making him responsible for the budget deficit. Woodbridge campaigned for a further improvement of the infrastructure of his country. The legislation to regulate the banks have been improved. In addition, the tax system was reformed. After Woodbridge was elected to the U.S. Senate, he resigned in February 1841, the Governor.

Further CV

Between 1841 and 1847 represented Woodbridge his state as a Senator in Congress. There he worked on several committees. After the expiration of his time in the Senate Woodbridge withdrew from politics and devoted himself to his private interests. He died in 1861 in Detroit and was also buried there. He was married to Juliane Trumbell, with whom he had four children.