John J. Pettus

John Jones Pettus (born October 9, 1813 in Wilson County , Tennessee , † January 28, 1867 in Pulaski County , Arkansas ) was an American politician and in 1854 and between 1859 and 1863 governor of the state of Mississippi .

Early years and political advancement

John Pettus attended public schools in his home in Tennessee. After moving to the state of Mississippi, he began a political career. Pettus became a member of the Democratic Party . Between 1846 and 1848 he was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives and from 1848 to 1858 he was a member of the State Senate . In this capacity he had to bridge the period between the resignation of Governor Henry Stuart Foote and the assumption of office of the new Governor John Jones McRae between January 5 and 10, 1854 . Pettus was a radical southerner .

Mississippi Governor

On October 3, 1859, John Pettus was elected the new governor of his state after his own candidacy. After a re-election in 1861, he was able to exercise this office between November 21, 1859 and November 16, 1863. Mississippi left the Union on January 9, 1861 and joined the Confederate States as a founding member shortly thereafter . In the now beginning civil war , Governor Pettus supported the confederation as best he could. The state of Mississippi provided soldiers, weapons and supplies for the army.

Another résumé

At the end of his governorship, John Pettus joined the Confederation Army . Due to his radical stance before and during the civil war, Pettus was refused an amnesty after the war. He was put out to be wanted by the troops of the Union. Therefore, he was on the run that eventually led him to Arkansas. He died there in January 1867. John Pettus was married twice and had four children in total. His younger brother Edmund represented the state of Alabama in the US Senate .

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	Pettus, John J.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Pettus, John Jones (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician (Democratic Party)
DATE OF BIRTH	October 9, 1813
PLACE OF BIRTH	Wilson County , Tennessee
DATE OF DEATH	January 28, 1867
Place of death	Pulaski County , Arkansas