Gabriel Slaughter

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Gabriel Slaughter, painted in 1908

Gabriel Slaughter (born December 12, 1767 in Culpeper County , Colony of Virginia , † September 19, 1830 in Mercer County , Kentucky ) was an American politician ( Democratic Republican Party ) and governor of the state of Kentucky.

Early years and advancement

Gabriel Slaughter and his parents came to what is now Kentucky, which was then still part of Virginia, at an early age. He was taught in local schools and then worked as a farmer. In 1795 he was appointed Justice of the Peace in Mercer County by Governor Isaac Shelby , and in 1803 began his military career as a lieutenant colonel in the Kentucky Militia . His military career peaked with the Battle of New Orleans in early 1815, where he distinguished himself for his dedication and bravery. His political career began in 1797 when he was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. He stayed there for three years; then he was elected to the State Senate, to which he belonged until 1808. In the gubernatorial elections of 1808 he was elected lieutenant governor of Kentucky, making him deputy governor Charles Scott for the next four years .

Kentucky governor

In the gubernatorial election in 1812 Richard Hickman was vice governor, while in the election four years later Slaughter could take office again. Governor George Madison was already seriously ill with tuberculosis at the time of the election and died only five weeks after his inauguration in October 1816. With that, Slaughter fell to the post of governor. First there were some domestic debates about the legal situation. Since Madison had passed away for the first time a governor in office, the question arose whether new elections should be called immediately and the lieutenant governor should bridge the time until then, or whether the lieutenant governor should end the remainder of Madison's term of office. Ultimately, the decision was made for the second variant, which is also practiced at the federal level between the President and the Vice-President . Right at the start of his tenure, he made the mistake of dismissing the popular Secretary of State Charles Stewart Todd , still appointed by Madison, and replacing him with the extremely unpopular former Senator John Pope . This and a few other changes in personnel reduced its popularity with the population. In addition, there was an economic crisis in 1819. On the other hand, Slaughter promoted the expansion of infrastructure and education in Kentucky.

Old age and death

Gabriel Slaughter was married three times and had a total of five children.

Even after the end of his tenure, Slaughter remained politically active. In 1823 he was re-elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives for one term. Afterwards he devoted himself mainly to church tasks. He died on September 19, 1830.

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personal data
SURNAME Slaughter, Gabriel
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American Democratic Republican Party politician and Kentucky State Governor
DATE OF BIRTH December 12, 1767
PLACE OF BIRTH Culpeper County , Colony of Virginia
DATE OF DEATH September 19, 1830
Place of death Mercer County , Kentucky