John S. Horner
| John Scott Horner | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Territorial Governor of Michigan | |
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In office 1835–1836 |
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| Preceded by | Stevens T. Mason |
| Succeeded by | Stevens T. Mason |
| Secretary of Wisconsin Territory | |
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In office 1836–1837 |
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| Succeeded by | William Slaughter |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 5, 1802 Warrenton, Virginia, US |
| Died | February 3, 1883 (aged 80) Ripon. Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Hillside Cemetery Ripon, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet L. Watson |
| Parents | Gustavus Brown Horner Frances Harrison Scott Horner |
| Profession | Farmer Attorney Politician |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
| Nickname(s) | Little Jack Horner |
John Scott Horner also known as Little Jack Horner (December 5, 1802 – February 3, 1883) was a US politician, Secretary and acting Governor of Michigan Territory, 1835–1836 and Secretary of Wisconsin Territory, 1836–1837.
Horner was born in what is now Warrenton, Virginia, the third of eight children of Gustavus Brown Horner and Frances Harrison Scott Horner. He attended a private boarding school near Middleburg, Virginia run by a Scottish Presbyterian clergyman. He attended Washington College (now known as Washington and Jefferson College) in Washington County, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1819. He then studied law, was admitted to the bar in Virginia and maintained a successful private practice in Fauquier, Loudoun, and Rappahannock counties. In October, 1834, Horner married Harriet L. Watson, the daughter of James Watson, U.S. Senator from New York.
On August 15, 1835, President Andrew Jackson appointed Horner to be Secretary (and acting Governor) of the Michigan Territory, replacing the popular Stevens T. Mason. The circumspect Horner knew he was entering office in a volatile situation.
Michigan had satisfied all the requirements set out in the Northwest Ordinance to become a state, however the U.S. Congress had repeatedly rejected or ignored Michigan's petition for statehood. The rejection was related to two very contentious issues:
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