William Trousdale

William Trousdale (born September 23, 1790 in Orange County , North Carolina , † March 27, 1872 in Gallatin , Tennessee ) was an American politician and the 15th governor of the state of Tennessee.

Early years and military advancement

Young William Trousdale came to Tennessee with his parents at the age of six. The family settled in Sumner County . He attended public schools and studied law. In 1820 he was admitted to the bar.

He had previously made a name for himself as a soldier. In 1813 he took part as a lieutenant in a campaign against the Creek Indians . Then he joined the forces of General Andrew Jackson . He was involved in the battles of Talladega and New Orleans and has since enjoyed great fame as a war hero. When the Seminole War broke out , he was promoted to major general in the Tennessee Militia. At the beginning of the Mexican-American War ten years later, Trousdale was a colonel in the regular US Army . He was wounded several times during this war. He and his unit took part in the storming of the Chatulpetec Fort near Mexico City . As a reward appointed him President James K. Polk on August 28, 1848 Brevet - Brigadier General .

Political career

His civil and political career ran parallel to his military successes. From 1820 he practiced as a lawyer. Politically, he belonged to the Andrew Jacksons Democratic Party . He made several unsuccessful attempts to get elected to Congress in the 1830s . For this he was from 1835 to 1836 a member of the Senate of Tennessee . In 1849 he was elected 15th Governor of Tennessee.

His tenure was marked by rivalry between the two major parties. The most significant event was a conference held in Nashville in 1850 . The conference, attended by representatives from nine southern states, focused on the question of extending slavery to the new territories acquired by Mexico. The outcome of the conference led to the so-called compromise of 1850 . In the 1851 election he was defeated by Whig candidate William B. Campbell .

Old age and death

1853 President appointed him Franklin Pierce to the ambassador in Brazil . This post came in very handy for Trousdale, because he hoped the climate in the South American country would improve his now ailing health. Trousdale remained in this post for four years. Then he worked as a lawyer again. He survived the American Civil War, but his health deteriorated. He died on March 27, 1872.

Since 1827 he was married to Mary Ann Bugg, with whom he had seven children.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978 . Volume 4, Meckler Books, Westport 1978.
The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography . Volume 5, James T. White & Company, New York.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Trousdale, William
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician, 15th Governor of Tennessee
DATE OF BIRTH	September 23, 1790
PLACE OF BIRTH	Orange County , North Carolina
DATE OF DEATH	March 27, 1872
Place of death	Gallatin , Tennessee