Lewis Parsons

Lewis E. Parsons

Lewis Eliphalet Parsons (born April 28, 1817 in Broome County , New York , † June 8, 1895 ) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ) and the 19th governor of Alabama .

Early years and political advancement

Lewis Parsons attended public schools, studied law at the Frederick Tallmadge Department in New York City and the GF Woodward Department in Pennsylvania . He moved to Talladega , Alabama in 1840, and practiced there with Alexander White . Parsons later decided to pursue a political career. He was a presidential elector in the 1856 and 1860 elections. He was also a member of the Alabama House of Representatives in 1859 and 1865 .

Governor of Alabama

In April 1865, the Alabama government underwent a drastic change over the surrender of the Confederate States . General George Henry Thomas was charged with directing the affairs of state until a Provisional Government was set up. President Andrew Johnson then named Parsons Provisional Governor of Alabama on June 21, 1865. His first act was to reinstate the laws of 1861, except for those related to slavery . He ordered the election of delegates for a constitutional convention, which met on September 12, 1865. The Convention overturned the secession order, waived the war debt, abolished slavery, and set early elections for state officials and members of the US Congress .

Parsons' tenure ended on December 13, 1865 with the inauguration of Robert M. Patton .

Another résumé

Parsons was elected to the US Senate , but the Republicans denied him the seat. He then worked as a federal attorney for the northern part of Alabama. Parsons died on June 8, 1895 and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Talladega. He was married to Jane Ann Boyd McCullough Chrisman and they had seven children together.

Web links

• Lewis Parsons in the National Governors Association (English)
• Lewis Parsons in the database of Find a Grave (English)