Charles Jackson (Rhode Island politician) explained

Charles Jackson
Order1:18th
Office1:Governor of Rhode Island
Term Start1:May 6, 1845
Term End1:May 6, 1846
Lieutenant Governor1:Byron Diman
Preceded1:James Fenner
Succeeded1:Byron Diman
Office2:Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
Term Start2:1841
Term End2:1842
Predecessor2:Henry Y. Cranston
Successor2:Richard K. Randolph
Office3:Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from Providence
Term Start3:1839
Term End3:1842
Alongside3:various (multi-member district)
Predecessor3:Various (multi-member district)
Successor3:Various (multi-member district)
Birth Date:4 March 1797
Birth Place:Providence, Rhode Island
Death Place:Providence, Rhode Island
Spouse:Catharine Dexter
Phebe Tisdale
Alma Mater:Brown University
Profession:Lawyer, Businessman
Party:Whig,[1]
Liberation Party[2]
Resting Place:North Burial Ground

Charles Jackson (March 4, 1797January 21, 1876) was the 18th Governor of Rhode Island from 1845 to 1846.

Early life

Jackson was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on March 4, 1797, and was the son of Richard Jackson, Jr.[3] He graduated from Brown University in 1817, and received a master's degree in 1820.[4] He also studied law with James Burrill, Jr., and was admitted to the bar in 1820.[5]

Business career

In addition to practicing law, Jackson was involved in several businesses, including a cotton manufacturing company. He also built a rubber factory after acquiring patent rights from Charles Goodyear. Jackson's ventures proved successful, and he later expanded into firearms as operator of the Burnside Rifle Works and a company that manufactured railroad equipment.

Political career

Jackson was active in politics as a Whig, served several terms in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, and was Speaker from 1841 to 1842. In 1843 he was a delegate to the state constitutional convention.[6]

Jackson served as governor from 1845 to 1846, after defeating incumbent James Fenner. He was elected as a Whig identified with the Liberation movement, which advocated freedom for those imprisoned as a result of the Dorr Rebellion. Jackson signed a bill freeing rebellion leader Thomas Wilson Dorr and all others who had been convicted. In response, Whig opponents of freeing Dorr organized a "Law & Order Party." Jackson was nominated for governor by the Democrats, and was defeated by Lieutenant Governor Byron Diman.

In 1857 Jackson was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate.[7]

Death and burial

Jackson died in Providence on January 21, 1876. He was buried at North Burial Ground in Providence.[8]

Family

Jackson was married twice. His first wife was Catherine Dexter (1805-1832), whom he married in 1827. In 1836 he married Phebe Tisdale (died March 3, 1883) of Scituate, Rhode Island. He had seven children, five of whom lived to adulthood.

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rhode Island Governor Charles Jackson. National Governors Association. 25 March 2015.
  2. Web site: Rhode Island Governors 1640 – Present. Rhode Island Secretary of State. State of Rhode Island. 25 March 2015.
  3. James T. White & Company, The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Volume IX, 1899, page 397
  4. Brown University, Historical Catalogue of Brown University, 1764-1914, 1914, page 97
  5. Daniel Webster, author, Andrew J. King, editor, The Papers of Daniel Webster, 1989, page 896
  6. Rhode Island Historical Society, Annual Meeting Proceedings, President's Address, 1910, page 15
  7. Rhode Island Department of State, State of Rhode Island Manual, 1914, page 155
  8. Rhode Island Genealogical Society, North Burial Ground, Providence, Rhode Island: Old Section, 1700-1848, 2000, page 275