Augustus C. French | |
|---|---|
.png) French's Portrait in theIllinois State Capitol's Hall of Governors | |
| 9th Governor of Illinois | |
| In office December 9, 1846 – January 10, 1853 | |
| Lieutenant | Joseph Wells William McMurtry |
| Preceded by | Thomas Ford |
| Succeeded by | Joel Aldrich Matteson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Augustus Chaflin French (1808-08-02)August 2, 1808 |
| Died | September 4, 1864(1864-09-04) (aged 56) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lucy Southwick |
| Residence(s) | Crawford County;St. Clair County |
| Occupation | Attorney; Professor of Law |
| Profession | Politician |
| Signature | .png) |
Augustus Chaflin French (August 2, 1808 – September 4, 1864) was theninth governor of the U.S. state ofIllinois from 1846 until 1853. He is best known for his fiscal policies, which eliminated the state's debt by the end of his administration, and for the lack ofscandals during his administration. His name also graces the Governor French Academy inBelleville, Illinois.
French was born inHill, New Hampshire, the son of Eunice (Dickerson) and Joseph French.[1][2] His father died when he was a child, and he struggled to obtain an education, finally leavingDartmouth College due to lack of funds. Studying at home, he was admitted to the bar in 1823. He then travelled toAlbion, Illinois, but soon moved to Edgar Courthouse (later renamedParis)[3] in the newly establishedEdgar County, where he acquired a successful law practice. On his mother's death, he assumed responsibility for his younger siblings.
French entered politics in 1837, first serving a term in the Illinois legislature, then becoming the Receiver of Public Monies (i.e., the receiver of money paid to theU.S. government for land) atPalestine inCrawford County, Illinois, where he took up residence. In 1844 he was a presidential elector forJames K. Polk (the winner in that election), and became popular in Illinois politics through his advocacy of a war with Mexico. French was nominated for governor by his party and won the election for governor, taking office in December 1846.
French immediately pushed for the funding to retire the state's debt, an attitude that characterized his entire tenure in office. He saw many of theMormons leave the state in February 1846 after their city charter atNauvoo had been revoked the previous year. Two events significant to the growth of Chicago occurred during French's term of office: theIllinois and Michigan Canal was completed, and theGalena and Chicago Union Railroad was begun. The canal connected theIllinois River (and thus, theMississippi River) with theGreat Lakes, while the railroad connected Chicago with the leadmines inGalena, Illinois (it would be completed in 1853).
A new state constitution was adopted in 1848, and among its changes from the 1818 constitution were new provisions for the election and terms of office for the state governor. French was unanimously renominated for the office by his party, and easily won re-election. He continued his efforts to reduce the state's debt, and by the time he left office in 1853, the entire deficit had been eliminated.[4]
After his retirement from government, French would continue his public service as a bank commissioner appointed to that position byJoel Aldrich Matteson, his successor as governor. He then relocated toLebanon inSt. Clair County, Illinois, where he became a professor of law atMcKendree College.
In 1858 he ran for State Superintendent of Public Instruction as the nominee of theDouglas wing of his party, but was defeated. He was a delegate to the unproductive Illinois Constitutional Convention of 1862, which became known as the "Copperhead Convention" for its anti-war stance during theCivil War.
Augustus French died on September 4th, 1864 at 12:20 Post-Meridiem, due toTyphoid fever, and was buried in College Hill Cemetery.[2]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Illinois 1846,1848 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Illinois 1846–1853 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
