Lewis E. Parsons

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19th Governor of Alabama
Lewis Eliphalet Parsons

In office June 1865 – December 1865
Preceded by	Thomas H. Watts
Succeeded by	Robert M. Patton

Born	April 28, 1817 Boone County, New York
Died	June 8, 1895
Political party	Democratic

Lewis Eliphalet Parsons (28 April 1817–8 June 1895) was the appointed provisional Democratic Governor of Alabama from June to December, 1865, following the American Civil War.

Parsons was Alabama's 19th governor. He was born in Boone County, New York, on April 28, 1817. He was educated in public schools, and studied law at the Frederick Tallmadge office in New York and the G.W. Woodward offices in Pennsylvania. Parsons moved to Talladega, Alabama, in 1840, and practiced law with Alexander White. He was a presidential elector in 1856 and 1860, and a member of the Alabama House of Representatives in 1859 and 1865.

In April 1865, Alabama's civil government underwent a drastic change because of the surrender of the Confederate States of America's armies. General George H. Thomas was ordered to manage state affairs until a provisional government was appointed. President Andrew Johnson appointed Parsons provisional governor of Alabama on June 21, 1865. His first deed was to reinstate the laws of 1861, except those pertaining to slavery. He ordered the election of delegates to a constitutional convention that met September 12, 1865. The convention repealed the ordinance of secession, renounced the state's war debts, abolished slavery, and scheduled elections to choose state officials and representatives to Congress. He attempted to purchase the panhandle of Florida for Alabama which sparked rumors that he had access to unclaimed confederate gold. Parsons's term ended on December 13, 1865, with the inauguration of Robert M. Patton. Parsons was elected to the U.S. Senate, but was refused his seat by the Republican party. In addition, he served as U.S. District Attorney for northern Alabama.

Parsons died on June 8, 1895, and is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Talladega, Alabama.

[edit] Sources

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol.1, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

Political offices
Preceded by Thomas H. Watts	Governor of Alabama 1865	Succeeded by Robert M. Patton

v • d • e Governors of Alabama

W. Bibb • T. Bibb • Pickens • Murphy • G. Moore • S. Moore • Gayle • Clay • McVay • Bagby • Fitzpatrick • Martin • Chapman • Collier • Winston • A. Moore • Shorter • Watts • Parsons • Patton • Swayne • Smith • Lindsay • Lewis • Houston • Cobb • E.A. O'Neal • Seay • T. Jones • Oates • Johnston • Samford • Jelks • Comer • E. O'Neal • Henderson • Kilby • Brandon • Graves • Miller • Graves • Dixon • Sparks • Folsom Sr. • Persons • Folsom Sr. • Patterson • G. Wallace • L. Wallace • Brewer • G. Wallace • James • G. Wallace • Hunt • Folsom Jr. • James • Siegelman • Riley

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Speakers of the Alabama House of Representatives

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