James Whitfield (politician)

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James Whitfield

James Whitfield (born December 15, 1791 in Elbert County , Georgia , † June 25, 1875 in Columbus , Mississippi ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Mississippi from 1851 to 1852 .

Early years and political advancement

James Whitfield attended public schools in his home in Georgia. After moving to Columbus, Mississippi, he became a successful planter and merchant. He joined the Democratic Party . Between 1842 and 1850 he was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives . Then he became a member of the State Senate .

Mississippi Governor

Governor John A. Quitman resigned on February 3, 1851, after which the then Senate President John Isaac Guion took over his office in accordance with the state constitution. Guion's mandate as Senate President ended on November 4th of the same year. With that, his legitimation as governor also expired. As a result, the State Senate was convened to a special session, at which Whitfield was elected on November 24, 1851 as the new President of the body and thus incumbent governor. Mississippi was without a governor for the 20 days between Guion's tenure ended and Whitfield took office.

Whitfield only had to bridge the time until January 10, 1852, when the newly elected Governor Henry Stuart Foote , who had previously represented his state in the US Senate , took up his new office. Whitfield was re-elected to his state's House of Representatives in 1858. The politician who was married to Louisa Dyer died in June 1875 and was buried in his hometown of Columbus. James Whitfield provided the government in the north of the state with land on which the Mississippi State Hospital was later built.

literature

  • Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Whitfield, James
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH December 15, 1791
PLACE OF BIRTH Elbert County , Georgia
DATE OF DEATH June 25, 1875
Place of death Columbus , Mississippi