James Whitcomb

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

James Whitcomb (December 1, 1795–October 4, 1852) was a Democrat governor of Indiana from December 6, 1843 to December 26, 1848. He was born in Windsor County, Vermont and moved to Bloomington, Indiana in 1824. It was under his governorship that the Indiana Hospital for the Insane, the Indiana Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, and the Indiana Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, were founded.

Prior to serving as governor, Whitcomb served as prosecuting Attorney for Monroe County, Indiana (1826-1829); a member of the Indiana Senate (1830-1831 and 1832-1836); and Commissioner of the General Land Office (1836-1841, appointed by President Andrew Jackson). Upon resigning from the Land Office in 1841, Whitcomb moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he eventually launched his campaign as the Democratic gubernatorial candidate. After serving as governor, he became a member of the United States Senate (1849-1852). He died in 1852 in New York City.

[edit] External links

• Biography and Portrait from Indiana State Library
• Profile from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

Preceded by Samuel Bigger

Governor of Indiana December 6, 1843 – December 26, 1848

Succeeded by Paris C. Dunning

Governors of Indiana

Territory: Harrison • Posey • State: Jennings • Boon • W. Hendricks • Ray • Noble • Wallace • Bigger • J. Whitcomb • Dunning • Wright • Willard • Hammond • Lane • Morton • Baker • T. Hendricks • Williams • Gray • Porter • Gray • Hovey • Chase • Matthews • Mount • Durbin • Hanly • Marshall • Ralston • Goodrich • McCray • Branch • Jackson • Leslie • McNutt • Townsend • Schricker • Gates • Schricker • Craig • Handley • Welsh • Branigin • E. Whitcomb • Bowen • Orr • Bayh • O'Bannon • Kernan • Daniels