John Catlin
Encyclopedia
John Catlin was an American
lawyer, politician, public official, and officer within the railroad industry.
Catlin served as acting governor of the Wisconsin Territory
from June 23, 1848 until March 3, 1849, when Henry Dodge
ceased to be the governor of the Wisconsin Territory, upon becoming a member of the United States Senate
from Wisconsin
. He was appointed the Secretary of Wisconsin Territory by President James Polk, and served from February 24, 1846 to March 3, 1849.
, Catlin studied in Vermont and taught school for nine years. Catlin was admitted to the Vermont bar and practiced law. In 1836, he moved to Mineral Point, Wisconsin
, where he helped set up a bank. He was president of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, which became part of the Milwaukee Road. Catlin served as a clerk of the Wisconsin Territorial Supreme Court and the Wisconsin Territorial House of Representatives. He was elected to the Wisconsin Territorial Council. He also was the first district attorney of Dane County 1839-1843. John Catlin was a member of the Democratic Party
.
was admitted to the United States
on May 29, 1848, part of the Wisconsin Territory
was not included. John Catlin was acting governor of this part of the Wisconsin territory until the Minnesota Territory
was organized on March 3, 1849, which included that part of the Wisconsin Territory. As acting governor, John Catlin went to the present-day city of Stillwater, Minnesota
, where he issued a proclamation for a special election for the delegate from the Wisconsin Territory. Henry Hastings Sibley
was elected the Congressional Delegate from the Wisconsin Territory, as a result of the special election.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer, politician, public official, and officer within the railroad industry.
Catlin served as acting governor of the Wisconsin Territory
Wisconsin Territory
The Territory of Wisconsin was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 3, 1836, until May 29, 1848, when an eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Wisconsin...
from June 23, 1848 until March 3, 1849, when Henry Dodge
Henry Dodge
Henry Dodge was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, Territorial Governor of Wisconsin and a veteran of the Black Hawk War. His son was Augustus C. Dodge with whom he served in the U.S. Senate, the first, and so far only, father-son pair to serve concurrently....
ceased to be the governor of the Wisconsin Territory, upon becoming a member of the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
from Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. He was appointed the Secretary of Wisconsin Territory by President James Polk, and served from February 24, 1846 to March 3, 1849.
Career
Born in Orwell, VermontOrwell, Vermont
Orwell is a town in Addison County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,185 at the 2000 census. Mount Independence was the largest fortification constructed by the American colonial forces...
, Catlin studied in Vermont and taught school for nine years. Catlin was admitted to the Vermont bar and practiced law. In 1836, he moved to Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Mineral Point is a city in Iowa County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,617 at the 2000 census. In 2008 the city's population had taken a decline and is currently only 2,462, but still the second most populous community in Iowa County...
, where he helped set up a bank. He was president of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, which became part of the Milwaukee Road. Catlin served as a clerk of the Wisconsin Territorial Supreme Court and the Wisconsin Territorial House of Representatives. He was elected to the Wisconsin Territorial Council. He also was the first district attorney of Dane County 1839-1843. John Catlin was a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Acting governor of the Territory of Wisconsin
When the state of WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
was admitted to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on May 29, 1848, part of the Wisconsin Territory
Wisconsin Territory
The Territory of Wisconsin was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 3, 1836, until May 29, 1848, when an eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Wisconsin...
was not included. John Catlin was acting governor of this part of the Wisconsin territory until the Minnesota Territory
Minnesota Territory
The Territory of Minnesota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1849, until May 11, 1858, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Minnesota.-History:...
was organized on March 3, 1849, which included that part of the Wisconsin Territory. As acting governor, John Catlin went to the present-day city of Stillwater, Minnesota
Stillwater, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,143 people, 5,797 households, and 4,115 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,340.0 people per square mile . There were 5,926 housing units at an average density of 915.7 per square mile...
, where he issued a proclamation for a special election for the delegate from the Wisconsin Territory. Henry Hastings Sibley
Henry Hastings Sibley
Henry Hastings Sibley was the first Governor of the U.S. state of Minnesota.-Early life and education:...
was elected the Congressional Delegate from the Wisconsin Territory, as a result of the special election.