"He is social, hearty and good humored, but cool, cautious, shrewd and persevering." [1]
Governor Alexander Ramsey was born on September 8, 1815, in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. [2] He was a respected politician, mostly known for his involvement in the U.S - Dakota War. Ramsey's political career began when he arrived to Dickinson School of Law in 1837 and became part of the class of 1840. After his graduation, Ramsey joined the Whig Party and became an essential member because of his involvenment regarding William Henry Harrison's presidential election.[3] In 1849, President Zachary Taylor named him governor of the Minnesota Territory. [4] During Ramsey's term as appointed governor of Minnesota, he was investigated for suspected fraud regarding the different treaties he executed with the Dakota people. [5] After an investigation by Congress, Ramsey was aquited of the charges. In 1860, Ramsey was elected the second governor of the State of Minnesota. This governorship turned out to be troublesome because of the Sioux uprising which started on August 17, 1862 when four Dakota men killed five white settlers. During this conflict, Ramsey had to make his most career defining decision: whether or not to condemn 300 Dakotas to death. Ramsey's decision to execute 300 Dakotas brought mixed emotions to Minnesotans, which was the reason why President Abraham Lincoln intervened and changed the conviction number to 38. Following this, Ramsey went to be an U.S Senator and the Secretary of War for President Rutherford B. Hayes. After leading a very successful life in politics, Ramsey died on April 22, 1903. [6]
Sources:
[1] "The New Governor of Minnesota,” Milwaukee Sentinel and Gazette, April. 5, 1849, 2: 2 [DATABASE]
[2] "Alexander Ramsey," American National Biography Online, last modified February, 2000,
http://www.anb.org/articles/07/07-00858.html?a=1&n=ramsey&d=10&ss=0&q=4
[3]"Alexander Ramsey."
[4] "Alexander Ramsey."
[5] "Alexander Ramsey," The U.S - Dakota War, http://www.usdakotawar.org/history/alexander-ramsey
[6] "Alexander Ramsey."
Image:
"Alexander Ramsey," Gettyimages,
http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/alexander-ramsey-american-politician-practised-law-in-news-photo/3203574#circa-1860-alexander-ramsey-american-politician-practised-law-in-picture-id3203574
[2] "Alexander Ramsey," American National Biography Online, last modified February, 2000,
http://www.anb.org/articles/07/07-00858.html?a=1&n=ramsey&d=10&ss=0&q=4
[3]"Alexander Ramsey."
[4] "Alexander Ramsey."
[5] "Alexander Ramsey," The U.S - Dakota War, http://www.usdakotawar.org/history/alexander-ramsey
[6] "Alexander Ramsey."
Image:
"Alexander Ramsey," Gettyimages,
http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/alexander-ramsey-american-politician-practised-law-in-news-photo/3203574#circa-1860-alexander-ramsey-american-politician-practised-law-in-picture-id3203574