William Henry Bissell

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William Henry Bissell
11th Governor of Illinois
In office
January 12, 1857 – March 18, 1860
LieutenantJohn Wood
Preceded byJoel Aldrich Matteson
Succeeded byJohn Wood
Personal details
Born(1811-04-25)April 25, 1811
Hartwick, New York
DiedMarch 18, 1860(1860-03-18) (aged 48)
Springfield, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic, Republican
SpouseEmily Susan Jones
ProfessionPhysician, lawyer, politician
Signature
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
RankColonel
Battles/warsBuena Vista

William Henry Bissell (April 25, 1811– March 18, 1860) was the 11th Governor of the U.S. state of Illinois from 1857 until his death. He was one of the first successful Republican Party candidates, winning the election of 1856 just two years after the founding of his party.

Bissell was born in Hartwick, Otsego County, New York. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Philadelphia Medical College in 1835. He moved to Monroe County, Illinois in 1837 where he taught school and practiced medicine until 1840.

From 1840 to 1842, Bissell was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois. He was prosecuting attorney of St. Clair County in 1844. He served in the Mexican War as colonel of the Second Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

Bissell was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses and as an Independent Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1849-March 3, 1855); he was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs (Thirty-second and Thirty-third Congresses). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1854.

Bissell was elected governor of Illinois in 1856 and served from January 12, 1857 until his death. He died at the Illinois Executive Mansion in Springfield and was interred in Oak Ridge Cemetery. He was the first Illinois Governor to die in office.

References

  • United States Congress. "William Henry Bissell (id: B000492)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 1st congressional district

1849-1853
Succeeded by
Preceded by
District created
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 8th congressional district

1853-1855
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Illinois
1857–1860
Succeeded by

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