James Denver
| James W. Denver | |
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| 5th Territorial Governor of Kansas | |
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In office December 1857 – November 1858 |
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| Preceded by | Robert J. Walker |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Medary |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's at-large district |
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In office March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 |
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| Preceded by | Milton S. Latham |
| Succeeded by | Joseph C. McKibbin |
| 2nd Secretary of State of California | |
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In office 1853–1855 |
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| Preceded by | William Van Voohies |
| Succeeded by | Charles H. Hempstead |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 23, 1817 Winchester, Virginia |
| Died | August 9, 1892 (aged 74) Washington, D.C. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
James William "Jim" Denver (October 23, 1817 – August 9, 1892) was an American politician, soldier and lawyer. He served in the California state government, as an officer in the United States Army in two wars, and as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from California. He served as secretary and Governor of the Kansas Territory during the struggle over whether or not Kansas would be open to slavery. The city of Denver, Colorado, is named after him.
James W. Denver was born near Winchester, Virginia. He attended public schools and moved to Ohio with his parents in 1830, settling near Wilmington. In 1841 he taught school in Missouri, and in 1844 he graduated from the law school of the University of Cincinnati. He was admitted to the bar and practiced law near Xenia, Ohio. He moved to Platte City, Missouri, in 1845, where he continued his law practice and acting career.
In 1847, during the Mexican-American War, he recruited a company for the 12th U.S. Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned a captain, serving under General Winfield Scott. After the war in 1850, Denver traveled to California, where he became a trader. Denver killed newspaper editor Edward Gilbert in a duel on August 2, 1852. Later that same year, he was elected to the California State Senate. He was later appointed as Secretary of State of California. In 1854 he was elected to the United States Congress as representative from California, serving from March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1856. On April 17, 1857, President James Buchanan appointed him as Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
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