Ratliff Boon | |
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Ratliff Boon in Who What When Book?, 1900
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Indiana House of Representatives | |
In office December 5, 1816 – December 4, 1818 |
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Indiana Senate | |
In office December 5, 1818 – December 4, 1819 |
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2nd and 3rd Lieutenant Governor of Indiana | |
In office December 8, 1819 – September 12, 1822 |
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Governor | Jonathan Jennings |
Preceded by | Christopher Harrison |
Succeeded by | Himself |
In office September 12, 1822 – January 30, 1824 |
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Governor | William Hendricks |
Preceded by | Himself |
Succeeded by | John H. Thompson |
2nd Governor of Indiana | |
In office September 12, 1822 – December 5, 1822 |
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Lieutenant | Vacant |
Preceded by | Jonathan Jennings |
Succeeded by | William Hendricks |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 1st district | |
In office March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1827 |
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Preceded by | Jacob Call |
Succeeded by | Thomas H. Blake |
In office March 4, 1829 – March 3, 1839 |
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Preceded by | Thomas H. Blake |
Succeeded by | George H. Proffit |
Personal details | |
Born | January 18, 1781 Franklin County, North Carolina |
Died | November 20, 1844 Louisiana, Missouri |
(aged 63)
Political party |
Democratic-Republican Democrat |
Spouse(s) | Delilah Anderson Boon |
Children | Seven |
Occupation | Farmer Politician |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | Indiana Militia |
Years of service | 1811–1813 |
Rank | Colonel |
Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
Ratliff Boon (January 18, 1781 – November 20, 1844) was the second Governor of Indiana from September 12 to December 5, 1822, taking office following the resignation of Governor Jonathan Jennings' after his election to Congress. A prominent politician in the state, Boon was instrumental the formation of the state Democratic Party, and he supported President Andrew Jackson's policies during his six terms representing Indiana in the United States House of Representatives.
Ratliff Boon was born January 18, 1781 in Franklin County, North Carolina, the son of Jesse and Kessiah Boon. At a young age he moved with his parents to Warren County, Kentucky where he attended a public grade school and later apprenticed as a gunsmith in Danville, Kentucky. In 1801 he was married to Delilah Anderson, together the couple had seven children. In 1809 he moved to what is now Boon Township of Warrick County, Indiana. Boonville, the county seat, was later named in his honor. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, Boon joined the Indiana Territorial militia and eventually rose to the rank of colonel.
Warrick County was organized in 1813 and Boon was appointed by Governor Thomas Posey to the position of County Treasurer. In 1816 he was elected to the first state legislature where he served two one-year terms. During his terms, his primary accomplishment was successfully promoting legislation to divide Warrick County into three separate counties. He was elected to the state senate in December 1818 but resigned after winning the election to become the second Lieutenant Governor in December 1819.