Willis A. Gorman | |
|---|---|
 Willis A. Gorman, 1872 | |
| 2ndTerritorial Governor of Minnesota | |
| In office May 15, 1853 – April 23, 1857 | |
| Appointed by | Franklin Pierce |
| Preceded by | Alexander Ramsey |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Medary |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromIndiana's6th district | |
| In office March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853 | |
| Preceded by | George G. Dunn |
| Succeeded by | Thomas A. Hendricks |
| Member of theIndiana House of Representatives | |
| In office 1841–1844 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Willis Arnold Gorman (1816-01-12)January 12, 1816 Flemingsburg,Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | May 20, 1876(1876-05-20) (aged 60) Saint Paul,Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Martha Stone (m. 1836) |
| Profession | lawyer and politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848 1861–1864 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Unit | 3rd Indiana Volunteers |
| Commands | 4th Indiana Volunteers 1st Minnesota Infantry 1st Bde, 2nd Div,II Corps |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Willis Arnold Gorman (January 12, 1816 – May 20, 1876) was an American lawyer, soldier, politician, and a general in theUnion Army during theAmerican Civil War.
Gorman was born nearFlemingsburg, Kentucky. He was the only child of David and Elizabeth Gorman, both of Irish descent. In 1835, the family moved toBloomington, Indiana, where Gorman attendedIndiana University and then established a law practice. In January 1836, he married Martha Stone in Bloomington. By 1837 he began his move into politics, becoming a clerk in theIndiana State Senate. From 1841 to 1844, he was elected to theIndiana House of Representatives.[1]
In 1845 he returned to Indiana University and completed his law degree. In 1846 he volunteered for the army, enlisted as a private, and went to fight in theMexican–American War. He was appointed as amajor in the 3rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and led an independent riflebattalion at theBattle of Buena Vista, where he was severely wounded. When his term of service expired, he re-enlisted and was appointedcolonel of the 4th Indiana. He served in thecapture of Huamantla and in several other campaigns and battles under GeneralJoseph Lane. In 1848 he was civil and military governor ofPuebla, but soon after he returned to Indiana. He served in theUnited States House of Representatives from March 4, 1849, to March 3, 1853, as a representative of that state.
Gorman, politically aDemocrat, served as the second TerritorialGovernor of Minnesota from May 15, 1853, to April 23, 1857, at the appointment ofPresidentFranklin Pierce. During his time as Governor of Minnesota, he masterminded an unsuccessful plan to move the capital of the territory fromSt. Paul toSt. Peter, where he owned land that would have been eminently suitable for use as the new capitol grounds. The plan was sidetracked when legislatorJoe Rolette disappeared with the bill until the last seconds of the legislative session.
He spent a number of years practicing law inSt. Paul, Minnesota, and served in theMinnesota House of Representatives from May 11, 1858, to January 1859.
With thesecession of several Southernslave states, Gorman offered his services to the army. He was appointedColonel of the1st Minnesota Infantry, serving in theFirst Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. On September 7, 1861, he was appointedbrigadier general of volunteers and assigned to command abrigade in theII Corps inArmy of the Potomac during thePeninsular Campaign. His troops suffered high casualties during theBattle of Antietam in an ill-fated attack onConfederate positions in the West Woods. Later in the year, he was assigned to command the District of Eastern Arkansas.
In 1864 he left the service and resumed his law practice in St. Paul. He was elected City attorney in 1869, and continued in that position until his death. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | 2nd Governor of Minnesota Territory 1853 – 1857 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | United States House of Representatives from Indiana 1849 – 1853 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
