Dakota Territory's at-large congressional district explained

State:Dakota Territory
District Number:AL
Member Type:Delegate
Representative:N/A
Obsolete:yes
Created:1861
Custom Created:as a non-voting delegate was granted by Congress
Eliminated:1889
Custom Eliminated:as a result of statehood as North Dakota and South Dakota
Years:1861–1889

Dakota Territory's at-large congressional district is an obsolete congressional district that encompassed the entire Dakota Territory prior to admission to the Union. The district elected a delegate to the United States Congress.

History

Established by Congress in 1861, Dakota Territory comprised North and South Dakota, northern Wyoming, and most of Montana, from what had previously been the northern portion of Nebraska Territory.[1]

From 1861 to 1889, Dakota Territory sent a single non-voting Delegate to the United States House of Representatives.

Over time, parts of the Territory were divided into Idaho Territory, Wyoming Territory, and Nebraska Territory. On November 2, 1889, the remaining Territory was split between the new states of North Dakota and South Dakota.

List of delegates representing the district

Delegate
PartyYearsCong
ress
Electoral history
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John Blair Smith Todd
Democraticnowrap December 9, 1861 –
March 3, 1863
Elected in 1861.
Lost re-election.
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William Jayne
Republicannowrap March 4, 1863 –
June 17, 1864
Elected in 1862.
Lost election contest.
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John Blair Smith Todd
Democraticnowrap June 17, 1864 –
March 3, 1865
Won election contest.
Lost re-election.
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Walter A. Burleigh
Republicannowrap March 4, 1865 –
March 3, 1869
Elected in 1864.
Re-elected in 1866.
Lost re-election.
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Solomon Lewis Spink
Republicannowrap March 4, 1869 –
March 3, 1871
Elected in 1868.
Lost re-election.
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Moses K. Armstrong
Democraticnowrap March 4, 1871 –
March 3, 1875
Elected in 1870.
Re-elected in 1872.
Lost re-election.
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Jefferson P. Kidder
Republicannowrap March 4, 1875 –
March 3, 1879
Elected in 1874.
Re-elected in 1876.
Lost renomination.
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Granville G. Bennett
Republicannowrap March 4, 1879 –
March 3, 1881
Elected in 1878.
Retired.
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Richard F. Pettigrew
Republicannowrap March 4, 1881 –
March 3, 1883
Elected in 1880.
Lost re-election.
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John B. Raymond
Republicannowrap March 4, 1883 –
March 3, 1885
Elected in 1882.
Lost renomination.
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Oscar S. Gifford
Republicannowrap March 4, 1885 –
March 3, 1889
Elected in 1884.
Re-elected in 1886.
Retired.
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George A. Mathews
Republicannowrap March 4, 1889 –
November 2, 1889
Elected in 1888.
District abolished upon statehood.

Bibliography

46°N -104°W

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Encyclopedia of the United States Congress . 1995 . Simon & Schuster . 9780132763615 . New York . 1481.