Augustus C. French
| Augustus Chaflin French | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 9th Governor of Illinois | |
|
In office December 9, 1846 – January 10, 1853 |
|
| Lieutenant |
Joseph Wells William McMurtry |
| Preceded by | Thomas Ford |
| Succeeded by | Joel Aldrich Matteson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 2, 1808 Hill, New Hampshire |
| Died | September 4, 1864 (aged 56) Lebanon, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Lucy Southwick |
| Residence | Crawford County; St. Clair County |
| Alma mater | none (self taught) |
| Occupation | Attorney; Professor of Law |
| Profession | Politician |
Augustus Chaflin French (August 2, 1808 – September 4, 1864) was the ninth Governor of the U.S. state of Illinois from 1846 until 1853. He is best known for his fiscal policies, which eliminated the state's debt by the end of his administration, and for the lack of scandals during his administration. His name also graces the Governor French Academy in Belleville, Illinois.
French was born in Hill, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. His father died when he was a child, and he struggled to obtain an education, finally leaving Dartmouth College due to lack of funds. Studying at home, he was admitted to the bar in 1823. He then travelled to Albion, Edwards County, Illinois but soon moved to Edgar Courthouse (later renamed Paris) in the newly established Edgar County, where he acquired a successful law practice. On his mother's death, he assumed responsibility for his younger siblings.
French entered politics in 1837, first serving a term in the Illinois legislature, then becoming the Receiver of Public Monies (i.e., the receiver of money paid to the U.S. government for land) at Palestine in Crawford County, Illinois, where he took up residence. In 1844 he was a presidential elector for James K. Polk (the winner in that election), and became popular in Illinois politics through his advocacy of a war with Mexico. French was nominated for governor by his party and won the election for governor, taking office in December 1846.
French immediately pushed for the funding to retire the state's debt, an attitude that characterized his entire tenure in office. He saw many of the Mormons leave the state in February, 1846 after their city charter at Nauvoo had been revoked the previous year. Two events significant to the growth of Chicago occurred during French's term of office: the Illinois and Michigan Canal was completed, and the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad was begun. The canal connected the Illinois River (and thus, the Mississippi River) with the Great Lakes, while the railroad connected Chicago with the lead Mining|mines in Galena, Illinois (it would be completed in 1853).
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