Joel Aldrich Matteson | |
---|---|
![]() Matteson's Portrait in the Illinois State Capitol's Hall of Governors | |
10th Governor of Illinois | |
In office January 10, 1853 – January 12, 1857 | |
Lieutenant | Gustav Koerner |
Preceded by | Augustus C. French |
Succeeded by | William Henry Bissell |
Personal details | |
Born | Watertown, New York | August 8, 1808
Died | January 31, 1873 Chicago, Illinois | (aged 64)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Mary Fish |
Relatives | Roswell Eaton Goodell (son-in-law)[1] Jennie Goodell Blow (granddaughter)[1] Mary Goodell Grant (granddaughter)[1] |
Profession | Politician |
Signature | ![]() |
Joel Aldrich Matteson (August 8, 1808 – January 31, 1873) was the tenth Governor of Illinois, serving from 1853 to 1857.[2]
In 1855, he became the first governor to reside in the Illinois Executive Mansion. In January 1855, during the joint legislative session of the Illinois House and Senate convened to choose a US senator, he became a surprise candidate. On the 9th ballot, he received 47 votes, 3 short of the 50 needed to win. Abraham Lincoln, who was also a contestant, then asked his supporters to vote for Lyman Trumbull, who won on the 10th ballot.[3][4]
After his term as governor ended he was for many years the president of the Chicago and Alton Railroad.[5]
The last years of his life were marred by charges of corruption in the Canal Scrip Fraud case. The village of Matteson, Illinois is named in his honor.[6] Matteson was buried in Joliet, Illinois.