Beriah Magoffin

Beriah Magoffin

Beriah Magoffin (born April 18, 1815 in Harrodsburg , Mercer County , Kentucky , † February 28, 1885 ibid) was an American politician and governor of the state of Kentucky.

Early years and political advancement

Beriah Magoffin's father was an immigrant from Ireland . He attended Center College , which he successfully completed in 1835. He then studied law at Transylvania University . After graduating and admitted to the bar in 1838, he started in Jackson ( Mississippi a legal career).

Magoffin returned to Kentucky in 1839. A year later he was appointed judge in Harrodsburg by Governor Robert Letcher . As a member of the Democratic Party , he was a delegate to their federal party conventions in 1848, 1856, 1860 and 1872. Between 1844 and 1856 he was always one of the democratic electors in the respective presidential elections. In 1850 he was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives, in 1855 he unsuccessfully applied for the post of lieutenant governor .

Kentucky Governor and Civil War

His party nominated him in 1859 as a candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election. He won this election with 53.2% of the vote against Joshua Fry Bell (46.8%). His term of office began on August 30, 1859 and was overshadowed by national events. The conflict between the northern and southern states was the dominant theme of the time. Kentucky was a border state and the population was divided on this issue. Due to the special geographic location at the interface between the north and the south, it was important for both sides to have Kentucky on their side. Magoffin was a state rights advocate and advocate of slavery . Nevertheless, when the civil war broke out, he proclaimed the neutrality of his state. Both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis sought military help from him. Magoffin refused both requests. Nevertheless, many volunteers, depending on their political views, reported to the armies of both sides. The situation became more and more difficult because neither the troops of the Union nor the Confederate army respected the neutrality of Kentucky in the long term and invaded the state. A political majority now tended towards Kentucky remaining in the Union , while a minority formed a Confederate counter-government, which however remained without any significant influence and was not recognized by Magoffin either.

Finally Magoffin was ready to leave his post. But his resignation turned into political antics. His lieutenant governor Linn Boyd had died in 1859. According to the constitution, the next candidate to succeed the governor was the President of the Senate. That was John F. Fisk at the time. Magoffin made his resignation dependent on Fisk not being allowed to be his successor. Since the political majority wanted the resignation, Fisk had to resign as President of the Senate and leave James Fisher Robinson in office for two days. On August 18, 1862 Magoffin resigned, Robinson was his successor and Fisk again President of the Senate.

Another résumé

After his resignation he worked as a lawyer again and devoted himself to his private interests. In 1865 he campaigned unsuccessfully for the ratification of the 13th Amendment in Kentucky. The former advocate of slavery now advocated civil rights for African Americans . From 1867 to 1869 he was once again a member of the Kentucky Parliament, then he finally retired into private life. He died in Harrodsburg in 1885. Magoffin was married to Anna Nelson Shelby, a granddaughter of former Governor Isaac Shelby . The couple had ten children.

Magoffin County in Kentucky is named after him.

Web links

Commons : Beriah Magoffin  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Beriah Magoffin in the National Governors Association (English)
• Beriah Magoffin in the database of Find a Grave (English)