Edward A. O'Neal

Edward A. O'Neal

Edward Asbury O'Neal (born September 20, 1818 in Madison County , Alabama , †  November 7, 1890 in Florence , Alabama) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ) and the 26th governor of Alabama .

Early years and political advancement

O'Neal was born in the Alabama Territory in 1818 . He attended the Green Academy and graduated from LaGrange College in 1836 . He then studied law in Huntsville , was admitted to the bar in 1840 and then opened a law practice in Florence. He was elected solicitor of the 4th judicial district in 1841 , an activity he held for a year. O'Neal, who was a proponent of the secessionist movement , entered the Confederate Army on June 4, 1861, with the rank of captain . He became a major , Lieutenant Colonel , Colonelpromoted and left the army with the rank of brigadier general at the end of the war .

He returned to Florence and devoted himself to his legal career. O'Neal decided to embark on a political career in 1875 by being elected as a delegate to Alabama's constitutional convention and chairing the Committee on Education .

Governor of Alabama

O'Neal was elected the 26th Governor of Alabama on August 7, 1882 and sworn in on December 1, 1882. He was also elected on August 4, 1884 for a second term. During his two terms in office, O'Neal focused on lowering taxes , prison reform, and promoting education. A Board of Convict Inspectors was created, a State Board of Agriculture established, grants for public schools increased, and Congress approved additional land for the University of Alabama . O'Neal's tenure was clouded by the disclosure that his predecessor's treasurer had embezzled state funds. As a result, O'Neal established the Office of Examiner of Accounts and began a weighty campaign to make tax collectors accountable .

O'Neal left his post on December 1, 1886 and returned to Florence, where he died on November 7, 1890. He was married to Olivia Moore and had seven children with her. One of the children was Alabama's Governor Emmet O'Neal , who served between 1911 and 1915.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

See also

• List of Confederate Generals in the Civil War
• List of generals of the Union in the Civil War

Web links

• Edward O'Neal in the National Governors Association (English)
• Edward A. O'Neal in the database of Find a Grave (English)