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John Shaffer (governor)

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John Shaffer
7th Governor of Utah Territory
In office
March 20, 1870 – October 31, 1870
Nominated byUlysses S. Grant
Preceded byCharles Durkee
Succeeded byVernon H. Vaughan
Personal details
Born(1827-07-05)July 5, 1827
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
DiedOctober 31, 1870(1870-10-31) (aged 43)
Salt Lake City, Utah
Resting placeFreeport City Cemetery, Freeport, Illinois
Political partyRepublican

John Wilson Shaffer (July 5, 1827 – October 31, 1870) was an American politician and businessman who served as the 7th Governor of Utah Territory.

Biography

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Born in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Shaffer was active in Republican politics in Illinois. In 1849, Shaffer settled in Freeport, Illinois and was involved in the mercantile business. Then, in 1856, he was elected sheriff of Stephenson County, Illinois. He was elected clerk and recorder for the Illinois Circuit Court for Stephenson County. Shaffer served in the 15th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War and later served as quartermaster; being brevetted brigadier general when the war ended. He was appointed governor of the territory of Utah by President Ulysses S. Grant. He was known for his strict opposition of any hint of rebellion against the federal government, which led to concerns with the Mormon population. He died suddenly during his first year as governor.[1][2][3]

Notes

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  1. ^ "John Wilson Shaffer". Government of Utah. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  2. ^ Bio data
  3. ^ Thomas Mears Eddy, ed. The Patriotism of Illinois. A Record of the Civil and Military History of the State in the War for the Union, vol. 2 (Chicago: Clark & Company Publishers, 1866), 353-56, "Colonel John Wilson Shaffer."

Further reading

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Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Utah Territory
1870
Succeeded by