march july governor indiana term congressman indiana born new_jersey virginia studied law initially intended practice law took jobs assistant federal land office assistant clerk territorial legislature support pursued interests land speculation politics involved dispute territorial governor soon led enter politics set tone early political career moved eastern settled near elected delegate dividing supporters running anti harrison candidate leader anti slavery pro faction territorial government political allies took control territorial assembly dominated governmental affairs resignation governor harrison congressional delegate aided passage enabling act authorized organization indiana state government state constitution elected president indiana constitutional convention held june helped draft state constitution supported effort ban slavery state favored strong legislative branch government august elected serve governor indiana age elected additional term pressed construction roads schools negotiated treaty mary open central indiana american settlement opponents attacked participation treaty negotiations unconstitutional brought proceedings measure narrowly defeated vote month long investigation resignation lieutenant governor second term following panic encountered financial problems situation exacerbated inability business interests run state government simultaneously ineligible term indiana governor state constitution looked means financial support shortly completion second term governor elected retiring public service promoted federal spending internal improvements heavy alcohol life addiction worsened death wife ann development alcoholism led defeat reelection campaign retirement condition worsened unable work farm finances collapsed creditors sought land holdings farm protect friend senator purchased farm permitted continue living death estate sold left funds purchase grave remained unmarked seven years historians offered varied interpretations life impact development indiana early state historians gave high praise credited defeat pro slavery forces indiana laying foundation state critical historians prohibition era described self promoting politician focused alcoholism modern historians places importance extremes agreed assessment state owes early life family background son jacob born new_jersey virginia march sixth children father doctor presbyterian missionary ordained minister mother educated practiced medicine daughter presbyterian minister new_jersey mary medical degree assisted husband practice father moved family pennsylvania remained adulthood mother death raised older sister sarah brother particularly close younger sister ann husband physician home attended nearby grammar school pennsylvania received basic education classmates later political allies studied law washington pennsylvania left pennsylvania moved ohio brother law office helped cases headed west stayed briefly moved capital early open law practice admitted bar april difficulty earning income lawyer finding clients territory busy july federal land receiver friend pennsylvania invited job assistant federal land office engaged land speculation obtained significant land holdings substantial profits assistant clerk territorial legislature continued speculate sale public lands confrontation harrison august appointed clerk board trustees began drawn ongoing political disputes going territory territorial governor member president board governor harrison considerable influence political appointments veto powers received university appointment general resigned clerk board following dispute harrison proposal ban french residents university board defeated harrison proposal resigned clerk selected replacement harrison loyal supporters harrison outraged promptly resigned board later decision september harrison easily reelected board selected president meantime wrote pamphlet describing board proceedings certified board knowledge approval angered harrison attempted secure territorial legislature opponent anti slavery candidate enemy harrison dropped race floyd selected position important political ally april harrison reelected president board commission appointed investigate conduct committee inquiry concerned certification pamphlet dealing board proceedings knowledge incident led resignation created considerable animosity prevailed years march believed future harrison dominated western territory bleak november left moved settling nearby believed political future success eastern territory settlements southeast eastern portion territory opposed slavery harrison aristocratic manner similar beliefs western portion territory area remained petitions allow slavery received formation issue attracted widespread attention harrison supporters territorial legislature revived efforts allow slavery territory supporters opposed slavery wrote writing articles appearing western sun newspaper attacking harrison administration pro slavery sentiments aristocratic policies congressman resigned office harrison ordered special election fill vacancy entered race harrison candidate attorney general territory native support group promised introduce slavery territory majority constituents agreed johnson remained silent issue candidate eastern portion territory rode settlement settlement speeches slavery spoke believed aristocratic tendencies ties harrison territorial government issue slavery territory found greatest support growing community eastern territory november elected delegate election close votes johnson taking votes challenged election results traveled washington case claimed election officials follow proper procedures ninety votes county seventh district argued votes vote totals discarded revised totals winner house committee took case issued resolution favor recommended new election held immediately left launch new campaign seat house defeated committee recommendation vote margin permitted seat territorial delegate congress learned legislative process served house committees introduced legislation debated issues continued ongoing crusade governor harrison play major role congressional discussions effort represent interests constituents reelected courtship marriage session congress small portrait later gave daughter prominent politician recently begun hay born kentucky family moved settled met campaigning congress session congress ended returned married eighteen year old ann august ann father died leaving family means support following reelection congress couple returned washington remained briefly traveling pennsylvania live sister remainder session wife suffered ill health deteriorated governor indiana died protected illness later year married come kentucky teach seminary children marriage congressman battle harrison angered electoral loss supporters challenging duel stabbed times recovered challenged bid reelection harrison came personally behalf focused slavery issue tied continued attempts institution congressional election coincided popular election delegates territorial legislature year prior election territory pro slavery faction suffered significant setback illinois separated cutting harrison supporters western portion territory harrison suggested expanded political base french residents territory defeat harrison pro slavery policies following triumph election anti slavery allies successful legislative agenda limited territorial governor authority repealed act service term congress stepped attacks harrison accusing office personal gain taking questionable land speculation deals raising tensions native american tribes frontier presented congressional resolution intended reduce harrison authority political appointments opposed policy purchasing lands indians harrison territorial governor sent scathing letter president argued harrison allies washington argued behalf aided securing hostilities broke frontier americans native tribes culminating battle november successfully promoted passage bill grant compensation veterans battle years killed privately lamented battle friends territory harrison situation causing loss life calls war great_britain increased war hawks ultimately accepted arrival war early war harrison commissioned military general dispatched defend frontier invade canada caused resign post territorial governor prior harrison resignation allies moved quickly advantage situation initiated efforts weaken governor authority territorial legislature voted capital away stronghold began shift political power territorial governor delegates territorial legislature elected officials elderly acting governor territorial duties largely dealt military affairs challenge territorial legislature harrison successor confirmed march party territorial legislature entrenched began advance request ran reelection congress pro slavery candidate taylor campaign divisive career taylor derided went far challenge duel refused ran slavery issue fielding new motto slavery indiana supporters tied taylor territorial judge pro slavery movement easily won reelection thanks expanding base support included growing community following reelection developed illness caused alcoholism recovered term congress began advocating granted indiana held formally introducing legislation end war ran sparks reelection campaign easily won push territorial legislature ready embark course december introduced petition territorial legislature congress requested indiana census showed territory population exceeding minimum requirement house began debate measure passed enabling act april act granted indiana right form government elect delegates constitutional convention create state constitution territorial governor expressed concern territory populated provide sufficient tax revenue fund state government letter president madison recommended president veto bill delay years allow finish term governor madison signed bill ignoring plea leading member territorial legislature able secure election anti slavery delegates constitutional convention delegate convention held june new territorial capital elected president assembly permitted appoint convention committee delegates drafted new constitution indiana majority content copied state notably ohio kentucky items new unique indiana slavery prohibited territorial legislation banned indiana constitution contracts servants existence preserved new state government divided legislative executive judicial branches gave governor limited powers concentrated authority hands county officials shortly convention publicly announced candidacy governor governor campaign election state convention june informed delegates intended run governor early july publicly announced candidacy indiana territorial governor opponent announced candidacy governor prior convention june weeks august election little active campaigning thought indiana premature popular candidate suffered health issues won large majority votes votes probably came eastern portion state support particularly strong probably came western portion moved new state capital served duration term governor salary governor highest elected official state constitution governor served year term prohibited serving years year period agenda called establishing court proceedings secure justice organizing state funded educational systems creating state banking system preventing unlawful seizure free blacks organizing state library planning internal improvements efforts limited success state limited financial resources limited powers governor strongly condemned slavery inauguration speech governor refined stance institution november encouraged state legislature enact laws prevent unlawful attempts seize carry persons color legally entitled freedom preventing owe service citizens state territory seeking limits state refuge possession owners acknowledged earlier position fugitive slaves claiming needed preserve harmony states agreed allow citizens means slave escaping state belong little delay possible citizens kentucky difficulty slaves escaped indiana internal improvements began promoting large scale plan internal improvements state projects directed construction roads canals projects enhance commercial appeal economic viability state second term state government continued support public improvements new road construction expanded settlement central indiana indianapolis site state permanent capital new settlers arrived area appropriated new road construction improvements important routes considerably short needed state experienced budget shortages low tax revenues forced pursue means financing projects main sources funds came issuing government bonds state bank sales public lands state spending borrowing led short term budget problems despite early setbacks poor access capital eventually halted improvement programs caused fold lack funds infrastructure improvements initiated attracted new settlers state population boundaries new state decades following governorship indiana population grew thousand surpassed million inaugural speech august called attention need educational plan annual message state legislature encouraged establishment free state funded education system called state constitution state citizens willing impose taxes fund public schools state legislature believed priority given creating government infrastructure lack public funds postponed creation state library system governor administration beginning state banking institutions closely tied state government fiscal affairs challenging state extremely limited economic population base economic depression late teens early twenties lack experience banking state politicians citizens factors indiana banking rested foundation prosperous years preceding remedy problem signed legislation create converting established territorial charter new bank main headquarters established new branches soon federal funds involved land speculation established chose remain separate state bank territorial charter valid state expenditures exceeded revenues preferred secure state debts bank loans cover issuing treasury notes taxes levied state borrowed state fiscal status remained bleak worsened economic depression federal deposits suspended bank notes longer accepted purchases federal land offices numerous reports corruption collapse land values brought panic bank financial distress bank june circuit court declared charter november upheld termination bank charter concluded federal deposits issued paper debt exceeding limited allowed charter established branches capital support paid shareholders large took steps dissolve paying debts owed years failure indiana citizens depended branch louisville financial services farmers fared better charter expired january paper passed rates years criticized monitoring state banks carefully investigating bank officials potential wrongdoing second term spent state continuing financial difficulties tax revenues land sales remained low state revenue sufficient repay bonds finance internal improvements forced significantly value bonds state credit making difficult secure new loans tenure governor nominated candidates quickly confirmed state legislature late appointed federal commissioner negotiate treaty native americans miami delaware lived northern central parts indiana treaty mary allowed purchase millions acres land north treaty line extending west parcels land opened central indiana american settlement appointment created crisis political career state constitution prohibited person holding federal government position exercising duties state governor political enemies seized opportunity force office arguing vacated governor office accepted federal appointment lieutenant governor claimed abandoned elected office took state acting governor absence meantime launched investigation learned situation actions questioned burned documents received federal government related assignment legislature called harrison appear questioning declined stating assembly authority harrison refused appear assembly recognized acting governor men meet legislature assembly demanded copies documents received federal government prove acting agent responded possession public documents calculated advance public interest pleasure shall times prepared afford information constitution laws state require difficulty real supposed grown circumstances having connected negotiation mary feel duty state committee acted entire conviction anxious desire promote welfare accomplish wishes people state assisting add large fertile tract country possess legislature summoned surrounding area knowledge events found certain role commission short debate house passed resolution voting recognize governor dropped proceedings house votes opposing came largely state western counties harrison outraged decision resigned lieutenant governor harrison ran reelection bid won election large majority votes harrison win margin suggests remained popular politician state voters overly concerned attacks governor character personal financial problems personal finances suffered panic indiana governorship continued increase financial burden able recover debts historian suggests financial situation arisen expenses incurred political campaigns long time service state government busy adequately manage farm wife frequently entertained visitors legislators dignitaries home high profile dinner hosted president general dinner held honor leaders making tour frontier states personal loan letter political ally request denied able secure personal loans friends granting land earlier career land land prices decreased significantly forced sell tracts land loss late 1820s critically short cash depended income political office pay expenses farm likely provide sufficient financial support thirty year old prohibited law running reelection term indiana governor forced consider political options decided return congress return congress september shortly second term governor expired candidate congress resigned seat run indiana governor special election held august fill vacant seat congress time state increased population gave indiana congressional seats regular congressional election held day elect indiana principal candidates special election won regular election fill seat indiana second congressional district easily won defeating wide margin democratic republican 17th congress lieutenant governor succeeded governor ran unopposed subsequently elected governor succeed won reelection congress represented indiana republican 18th congress switched allegiance adams republican 19th 20th aligned anti 21st congress continued promote internal infrastructure improvements term congress introduced legislation build forts northwest grant federal funding improvement projects indiana ohio led debate support federal funds build nations longest canal indiana introduced legislative amendment provision locate survey national road west mississippi_river people living indiana illinois assurance road large federal appropriation benefit directly helped secure appropriation funds survey river accessible year round travel reelection second district congressman supported protection internal improvements vowed support presidential candidate constituents preferred election went house decide winner won reelection congress close race beating sullivan madison presidential election american political parties organized candidates running favored adams later clay contested presidential election passed house voted majority gave political support jackson defeated house adams president indiana voters supported jackson hoped victory election seeking advance political career ran senate twice defeated attempts senate candidate time elected state senators congress ballot came incumbent governor came second fourth ballot won senate seat second attempt lost wife died protected illness couple children deeply loss began drink liquor heavily later year married drinking condition worsened frequently serving congress health continued decline struggled alcohol addiction suffered severe ceiling plaster boarding room fell head severely injuring ill health limited ability visit constituents continued remain popular politician indiana congressional election ran unopposed won reelection defeating opponent indiana lieutenant governor publicly favor presidential candidate won second district seat support voters favored final term office house journals introduced legislation frequently present vote matters delivered speech friends led senator took note situation took action block reelection bid drinking political liability man opposed way race congressional seat won election arranged enter race divide supporters left office march later years twice elected grand master serving declined reelection retirement retired wife home felt mistake force public service hoped work force alcohol secured appointment negotiate treaty native tribes northern indiana attended negotiations treaty delegation failed attempt returned farm health steadily declined continued drinking alcohol spending considerable time local tavern frequently discovered sleeping streets ditches alcoholism worsened point longer able tend farm steady income creditors began moving seize estate acquired mortgage farm enlisted help local acquire debts holdings allowed remain farm remainder life encouraged grant permission died heart attack likely brought bout july farm near years old buried brief ceremony unmarked grave estate lacked funds purchase creditors neighbors left unpaid following death sold farm gave widow gift proceeds legacy memorials late nineteenth century attempts erect monument honoring public service separate occasions petitions brought erect marker grave attempt failed state legislature finally granted petition erect monument honor time unmarked independently verified witnesses burial body new site cemetery named honor political impact historians offered varied interpretations life impact development indiana state early historians wrote mythical manner focusing strong positive leadership provided indiana formative years referred young hercules praising crusade harrison slavery assessment positive indiana owes debt prohibition era early twentieth century historians critical wrote height prohibition attitudes alcohol consumption particularly harsh highly critical alcoholism described abilities mediocre argued took decisive stand important issues dismissed importance impact indiana saying legislature leading men set tone era described politician statesman leadership evident convention argued poverty obscure significant contributions territorial delegate congress president state governor congressman modern historians argue legacy lie extremes assessments mills agrees indiana owes debt gratitude accomplishments extensive job state transition democratic form government describes ambitious passionate hot tempered moody argues successful indifferent statesman governor good laying agenda achieving implementation believed popular democracy opposed slavery despised especially rights fellow americans service indiana governor representative congress came end political era beginning governmental power authority shifted governor patronage appointments state legislature elected officials electoral history territorial delegate gubernatorial elections indiana 2nd congressional district
Jonathan Jennings