Military officer; born in
Oldham county, Ky., July 25, 1824; settled in
Decatur, Ill., in 1836.
When the
Mexican War broke out he entered the army as lieutenant in the 8th Illinois Infantry and participated in the siege of
Vera Cruz and in the action at
Cerro Gordo.
Resigning in 1847 he studied law, and began practice in 1851.
He was elected to the State Senate in 1860, but when the
Civil War began resigned his seat and became colonel of the 8th Illinois Volunteers; won distinction in the battles of
Pittsburg Landing and
Corinth; and was promoted major-general in 1862.
He was elected governor of
Illinois in 1864 and 1872, but in his second term served a few days only when he was elected
United States Senator.
In 1878 he was again elected governor.
He died in
Elkhart, Ill., April 24, 1899.