Lionel Allen Sheldon

Lionel Allen Sheldon
Lionel Allen Sheldon. Engraving by H.B. Hall
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1875
Preceded by	James Mann
Succeeded by	Ezekiel John Ellis
Governor of New Mexico Territory
In office 1881–1885
Preceded by	Lewis Wallace
Succeeded by	Edmund G. Ross
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
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America 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

Lionel Allen Sheldon (August 30, 1828 – January 17, 1917) was a U.S. Representative from Louisiana. He was Governor of New Mexico Territory from 1881 to 1885.

Early life

Born in Worcester, New York, Sheldon moved with his parents to Lagrange, Ohio. He attended the district school and Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio from 1848 to 1850 and was graduated from the Fowler's State and National Law School, Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1853. He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Elyria, Ohio. He was probate judge of Lorain County, Ohio, in 1856 and 1857. He served as delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1856, 1880, and 1896. He was commissioned brigadier general of the militia by Governor Chase.

He served in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was appointed lieutenant colonel of the 42nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment on November 27, 1861, and promoted to the rank of colonel on March 14, 1862. He was mustered out in 1864, after being wounded, and was brevetted brigadier general for his services in the war. He settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, and practiced law from 1864 to 1879.

Political career

Sheldon was elected as a Republican 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.

Sheldon was Governor of New Mexico Territory from 1881 to 1885. He was one of the receivers of the Texas and Pacific Railway from 1885 to 1887.

He moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1888 and engaged in the practice of law. He moved to Pasadena, California, and died in that city on January 17, 1917. His remains were cremated and laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum in Altadena.

References

• United States Congress. "Lionel Allen Sheldon (id: S000322)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links

• Lionel Allen Sheldon at Find a Grave