Stephen F. Chadwick
| Stephen F. Chadwick | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 5th Governor of Oregon | |
| In office February 1, 1877 – September 11, 1878 | |
| Preceded by | La Fayette Grover |
| Succeeded by | W. W. Thayer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 25, 1825 Middletown, Connecticut |
| Died | January 15, 1895 (aged 69) Salem, Oregon |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Jane A. Smith |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| [1] | |
Occupational background
Chadwick was a lawyer, admitted to the New York State Bar on May 30, 1850. He soon made his way to Oregon, setting up a law firm in Douglas County in the settlement of Scottsburg on April 21, 1851. Chadwick served as the town's first postmaster.[1]
Early political career
After moving from Scottsburg to Roseburg, Chadwick ran for the newly created position of Judge of Douglas County. Later he would go on to represent Douglas County at the State Constitutional Convention. In the 1864 and 1868 Presidential elections, Chadwick served as a Democratic elector.
Chadwick won the 1870 election to the position of Secretary of State, and was subsequently reelected in 1874.[1]
Governorship
In 1877, La Fayette Grover resigned the governorship after his election to the United States Senate by the State Legislature. Chadwick, as Secretary of State and second in the gubernatorial line of succession, was inaugurated to fill out the remaining year of Governor Grover's term.[1]
Although unconstitutional under Article V, Section 1 of the State Constitution, Chadwick also kept his position of Secretary of State. When signing official documents requiring the signatures of both the Secretary of State and Governor, he would sign first on the left side, then on the right.
The most notable policy of his administration was Chadwick's stand on the Nez Perce War raging in the northeastern part of the state. Chadwick was unhappy with the stalemated situation, going so far as to inspect the front lines first-hand. He aided white settlers during the conflict, and argued for much harsher punishments for rebellious and uncooperative tribal leaders than the Army's policies.
At the time of the 1878 elections, Governor Chadwick declined a second term and went back to practicing law. He died on February 15, 1895, in Salem, Oregon.[1]
Sources
- Klooster, Karl. Round the Roses II: More Past Portland Perspectives, pg. 107, 1992, ISBN 0-9619847-1-6
External links
- Oregon State Archives: Chadwick Administration-Photo, and link to Chadwick's 1878 Biennial message
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