William T. Minor
Encyclopedia
William Thomas Minor was an American
politician and the 39th Governor of Connecticut.
on October 3, 1815. He studied at Yale University
and graduated in 1834. He then studied law. In 1840, Minor was admitted to the bar.
As candidate of the American Party
, Minor was elected Governor of Connecticut in 1855 over Samuel Ingham
by the Connecticut General Court (legislature) by a 177-70 vote. He was re-elected to a second term in 1856, again over Ingham, again by the legislature by a vote of 135-116. Minor was a supporter of lengthening the period of residency before naturalization. He also supported the dismissal of six military companies that consisted mostly of Irishmen. This step further enraged immigrants. A legislation was passed that deprived suffrage to men unable to read the state constitution. Not a candidate in the election of April 1857, he left office on May 6, 1857.
. He held that position until 1867. He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1868. In 1868, he was appointed judge of the Superior Court. He held that position until 1873. He died on October 13, 1889.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and the 39th Governor of Connecticut.
Early life
Minor was born in Stamford, ConnecticutStamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
on October 3, 1815. He studied at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and graduated in 1834. He then studied law. In 1840, Minor was admitted to the bar.
Politics
Minor became a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1841. He held that position until 1849. He became a member of the Connecticut State Senate in 1854.As candidate of the American Party
Know Nothing
The Know Nothing was a movement by the nativist American political faction of the 1840s and 1850s. It was empowered by popular fears that the country was being overwhelmed by German and Irish Catholic immigrants, who were often regarded as hostile to Anglo-Saxon Protestant values and controlled by...
, Minor was elected Governor of Connecticut in 1855 over Samuel Ingham
Samuel Ingham
Samuel Ingham was a two-term Congressman from Connecticut. He is not to be confused with the former Secretary of the Treasury Samuel D. Ingham. He was born in Hebron on September 5, 1793. He attended the common schools in Vermont, studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in...
by the Connecticut General Court (legislature) by a 177-70 vote. He was re-elected to a second term in 1856, again over Ingham, again by the legislature by a vote of 135-116. Minor was a supporter of lengthening the period of residency before naturalization. He also supported the dismissal of six military companies that consisted mostly of Irishmen. This step further enraged immigrants. A legislation was passed that deprived suffrage to men unable to read the state constitution. Not a candidate in the election of April 1857, he left office on May 6, 1857.
Later years
After completing his term, Minor practiced law. In 1864 he was appointed the consul-general to HavanaHavana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
. He held that position until 1867. He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1868. In 1868, he was appointed judge of the Superior Court. He held that position until 1873. He died on October 13, 1889.
Sources
- Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2