Newton Edmunds
| Newton Edmunds | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 2nd Governor of Dakota Territory | |
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In office October 17, 1863 – September 3, 1866 |
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| Preceded by | William Jayne |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Jackson Faulk |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 31, 1819 Hartland, New York |
| Died | February 13, 1908 (aged 88) Yankton, South Dakota |
Newton Edmunds (May 31, 1819 – February 13, 1908) was an American politician who served as the second Governor of Dakota Territory, serving during the American Civil War.
Newton Edmunds was born in Hartland, New York on May 31, 1819. In 1832, he moved with his family to Michigan. The Edmunds family was involved with politics, associating with the Free Soilers before affiliating with the Republican Party. Newton Edmunds' brother, C. E. Edmunds, was Commissioner of the United States Land Office. Newton Edmunds was appointed as chief clerk in the surveyor-general's office, resulting in Edmunds' arrival in Dakota Territory in 1861. On August 30, 1862, Edmunds was elected as eighth corporal of Company A of the Dakota Militia, following the Santee uprising.
On October 17, 1863, Edmunds was appointed Governor of Dakota Territory by President Abraham Lincoln after receiving strong support from former Governor William Jayne. Edmunds took the oath of office on November 2. He helped establish a public school system as well as a regular revenue system in Dakota Territory. Edmunds also promoted advanced farming techniques and successfully introduced sheep to Dakota Territory in 1865.
Edmunds also believed that warring conditions with the Indians in the territory impeded white settlement by creating a negative public perception of Dakota Territory. In October 1865, Edmunds and his commission began to negotiate with Indian tribes located along the Missouri River; and eventually, the commission reached treaty agreements with thirteen tribes. Dr. Walter A. Burleigh opposed Governor Edmunds' peace policy with the Indians, recommending that Edmunds be dismissed from office, claiming that Edmunds had mismanaged Indian Affairs with a scheme to steal money from the Indian Bureau. On August 8, 1866, Edmunds was dismissed by President Andrew Johnson and was replaced by Andrew Jackson Faulk, father-in-law of Dr. Burleigh.
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