Lionel Allen Sheldon | |
|---|---|
 Lionel Allen Sheldon. Engraving byH.B. Hall | |
| 12thGovernor of New Mexico Territory | |
| In office March 9, 1881 – May 4, 1885 | |
| Appointed by | James A. Garfield |
| Preceded by | Lewis Wallace |
| Succeeded by | Edmund G. Ross |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromLouisiana's2nd district | |
| In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | James Mann |
| Succeeded by | Ezekiel John Ellis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1828-08-30)August 30, 1828 Worcester, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 17, 1917(1917-01-17) (aged 88) Pasadena, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum,Altadena, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Greene Miles |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1864 |
| Rank | Colonel Bvt.Brigadier General |
| Commands | 42nd Ohio Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War (Arkansas Post) |
Lionel Allen Sheldon (August 30, 1828 – January 17, 1917) was appointed a brigadier general in the Ohio militia in 1858 by GovernorSalmon P Chase and served as an officer in theUnion Army during theAmerican Civil War. AU.S. Representative fromLouisiana. He was appointed Governor of theNew Mexico Territory byPresident James Garfield and served in that role from 1881 until he resigned in 1885.
Sheldon was born inWorcester, New York, to Allen and Anna Marie (Des Les Dernier) Sheldon. Sheldon moved with his parents toLagrange, Ohio.[1] He attended the district school andOberlin College inOberlin, Ohio from 1848 to 1850 and graduated from theFowler's State and National Law School,[2]Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1853. He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice inElyria, Ohio. He was probate judge ofLorain County, Ohio, in 1856 and 1857.
Sheldon served in theUnion Army during theCivil War. He was mustered in as lieutenant colonel of the42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment on November 27, 1861, after raising five companies in six days. Prior to his service with the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment he served as a cavalry officer with the2nd Ohio and was commissioned a Brigadier General of the militia by GovernorSalmon P Chase in 1858. Sheldon was promoted to the rank of colonel on March 14, 1862, becoming the regiment's second commander following personal friend and futurePresident James Garfield. Sheldon fought in the battles of Middle Creek, Chickaway Bayou, the capture of Cumberland Gap and his brigade launched the attack onArkansas Post. Under Major General Ulysses S. Grant he participated in the attack on Port Gibson, Mississippi, and saw action during the assault on Thompson’s Hill. Wounded in the hand by a musket ball, Colonel Sheldon stayed at his post, leading two gallant charges on the enemy position. During the engagements at Raymond, Jackson, and Black River Bridge, Colonel Sheldon followed his regiment in an ambulance but recuperated in time to participate in the siege of Vicksburg.
Sheldon wasbrevetted Brigadier General of volunteers on March 13, 1865. He settled inNew Orleans, Louisiana, and practiced law from 1864 to 1879 before being appointed Territorial Governor.
Sheldon assumed the office of the territorial governor on May 15, 1881. When Sheldon assumed office he was met with a great deal of resistance from older citizens and officials. Despite this, Sheldon was successful in starting the construction of The Penitentiary of New Mexico. Governor Sheldon gave much attention to organizing and strengthening the militia as protection not only against lawlessness but against the aggressive native tribes in the region. The remainder of Sheldon's term covered a period of speculation and growing business. Sheldon resigned in 1885.
On December 29, 1868 Sheldon married Mary Greene Miles, daughter of Thompson and Mary (Greene) Miles of Elyria, Ohio.
Sheldon was elected as aRepublican to the Forty-first, Forty-second, and Forty-third Congresses (March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1875). He served as chairman of the Committee on Militia (Forty-second Congress). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1874 to the Forty-fourth Congress. He returned to Ohio in 1879 and participated in the presidential campaign of James Garfield.[1]
Once Garfield became president he appointed Sheldon Governor of theNew Mexico Territory, a role he served from 1881 to 1885. He was one of the receivers of theTexas and Pacific Railway from 1885 to 1887. He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1856, 1880, and 1896, each time from a different state, Ohio, Louisiana and California.
In 1888 Sheldon and his wife moved toLos Angeles, California, where he practiced law. He moved toPasadena, California, and died in that city on January 17, 1917.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromLouisiana's 2nd congressional district March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1875 | Succeeded by |
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| U.S. Territory(1851–1912) | ||
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