John McDougall

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For other people named John McDougall, see John McDougall (disambiguation).

John McDougall (or McDougal) (January 1, 1818 – March 30, 1866) was Governor of California from January 9, 1851 until January 8, 1852.

Born in Ohio in 1818, McDougall came to California as a gold miner. When, as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1849 he was nominated Lieutenant Governor, he said, "I reckon I'll take that. I don't believe anyone else will have it." Despite this less than enthusiastic entrance into politics, McDougall succeeded to the office of Governor. During his term, he issued so many proclamations beginning "I, John McDougall", that he was soon known throughout the state as "I John". He created the Mariposa Battalion that discovered Yosemite Valley. McDougall opposed legislation that would outlaw dueling. He stated that those who dueled weren't fit to live and that by allowing them to continue to duel they would eventually kill each other off. Ironically, after his term McDougall wounded a newspaper editor in one duel and was arrested still later when about to begin another.

This article contains material that originally came from a California state government website. All information from the State of California is in the public domain.

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• Governors of California
  • Inaugural address

Preceded by: Peter Burnett	Governors of California 1851-1852	Succeeded by: John Bigler
Preceded by: —	Lieutenant Governors of California 1849—1851	Succeeded by: David C. Broderick

Governors of California
Burnett • McDougall • Bigler • J. Johnson • Weller • Latham • Downey • Stanford • Low • Haight • Booth • Pacheco • Irwin • Perkins • Stoneman • Bartlett • Waterman • Markham • Budd • Gage • Pardee • Gillett • H. Johnson • Stephens • Richardson • Young • Rolph • Merriam • Olson • Warren • Knight • P. Brown • Reagan • J. Brown • Deukmejian • Wilson • Davis • Schwarzenegger