Willis A. Gorman
| Willis A. Gorman | |
|---|---|
Willis A. Gorman, 1872
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| 2nd Territorial Governor of Minnesota | |
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In office May 15, 1853 – April 23, 1857 |
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| Appointed by | Franklin Pierce |
| Preceded by | Alexander Ramsey |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Medary |
| Member of the U. S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 6th district | |
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In office March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853 |
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| Preceded by | George G. Dunn |
| Succeeded by | Thomas A. Hendricks |
| Member of the Indiana House of Representatives | |
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In office 1841-1844 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Willis Arnold Gorman January 12, 1816 Flemingsburg, Kentucky |
| Died | May 20, 1876 (aged 60) Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Stone |
| Profession | lawyer and politician |
Willis Arnold Gorman (January 12, 1816 – May 20, 1876) was an American lawyer, soldier, politician, and a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Gorman was born near Flemingsburg, Kentucky. He was the only child of David and Elizabeth Gorman, both of Irish descent. In 1835, the family moved to Bloomington, Indiana, where Gorman graduated from Indiana University's law school in 1835 and established a law practice. In January 1836, he married Martha Stone in Bloomington. By 1837 he began his move into politics, becoming a clerk in the Indiana State Senate. From 1841 to 1844, he was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives.
In 1846 he volunteered for the army, enlisted as a private, and went to fight in the Mexican-American War. He was appointed as a major in the 3rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and led an independent rifle battalion at the Battle of Buena Vista, where he was severely wounded. When his term of service expired, he re-enlisted and was appointed colonel of the 4th Indiana. He served in the capture of Huamantla and in several other campaigns and battles under General Joseph Lane. In 1848 he was civil and military governor of Puebla, but soon after he returned to Indiana. He served in the United States House of Representatives from March 4, 1849, to March 3, 1853, as a representative of that state.
Gorman, politically a Democrat, served as the second Territorial Governor of Minnesota from May 15, 1853, to April 23, 1857, at the appointment of President Franklin Pierce. During his time as Governor of Minnesota, he masterminded an unsuccessful plan to move the capital of the territory from St. Paul to St. Peter, where he owned land that would have been eminently suitable for use as the new capitol grounds. The plan was sidetracked when legislator Joe Rolette disappeared with the bill until the last seconds of the legislative session.
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