Alonzo Garcelon | |
---|---|
36th Governor of Maine | |
In office January 8, 1879 – January 17, 1880 |
|
Preceded by | Seldon Connor |
Succeeded by | Daniel F. Davis |
Member of the Maine Senate | |
In office 1855–1856 |
|
Member of the Maine House of Representatives | |
In office 1853–1854 1857–1858 |
|
Personal details | |
Born |
Lewiston, Massachusetts (now Maine) |
May 6, 1813
Died | December 8, 1906 Medford, Massachusetts |
(aged 93)
Resting place | Riverside Cemetery, Lewiston, Maine |
Political party | Democratic |
Other political affiliations |
Whig, Free Soiler, Republican |
Alma mater |
Bowdoin College Medical University of Ohio |
Profession | Physician |
Military service | |
Allegiance |
United States of America Union |
Service/branch |
United States Army Union Army |
Years of service | 1861–1865 |
Rank | Surgeon General |
Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Alonzo Garcelon (May 6, 1813 – December 8, 1906) was the 36th Governor of Maine, and an American Civil War surgeon general.
Garcelon was born in Lewiston (in modern-day Maine, then a part of Massachusetts), to French Huguenot parents. Garcelon attended Monmouth Academy, Waterville Academy, and New Castle Academy. Garcelon taught school during the winter terms to help pay for his tuition. In 1836 Garcelon graduated from Bowdoin College, and in 1839 he graduated from the Medical University of Ohio, which was the Medical College of Ohio at the time, and then returned to Lewiston to practice. Garcelon co-founded the Lewiston Journal in 1847. He served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1853–54, 1857–58, and in the Maine Senate from 1855-56. Garcelon donated to Bates College to Lewiston in 1855 and served as an instructor and trustee at the College. He was elected as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1856.
During the Civil War, Garcelon served in the Union Army as Maine's Surgeon General. During the impeachment of Andrew Johnson after the War, Garcelon became disgusted with the Republican Party and became a Democrat. In 1871 he was elected mayor of Lewiston, and in 1879 he was elected Governor of Maine by the legislature, serving one term until 1880.