Alexander Cummings (territorial governor)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Cummings was the third Governor of the Territory of Colorado from 1865–1867, serving as a member of the Republican Party.
Alexander Cummings was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania
on November 11, 1810. Cummings was a newspaperman, who founded the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin and the New York World
.
At the beginning of the Civil War, Cummings used his political influence to be appointed as a special purchasing agent for the War Department. Unfortunately, Cummings wasted much of his $2,000,000 budget, and was discharged for ineptitude and profiteering. After leaving the War Department, Cummings recruited the Nineteenth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. In February 1864, Cummings was made Superintendent of Colored Troops for the Department of Arkansas, and was brevetted the rank of Brigadier General by President Johnson. U.S. President Andrew Johnson
appointed Cummings the new Governor of the Territory of Colorado on October 17, 1865 to replace John Evans
who resigned following the Sand Creek Massacre
. Cummings served as Territorial Governor until April 27, 1867. Cummings died in Ottawa
, Canada
, in June 1879.
Alexander Cummings was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania in the United States. In 2009, the population was estimated at 29,304...
on November 11, 1810. Cummings was a newspaperman, who founded the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin and the New York World
New York World
The New York World was a newspaper published in New York City from 1860 until 1931. The paper played a major role in the history of American newspapers...
.
At the beginning of the Civil War, Cummings used his political influence to be appointed as a special purchasing agent for the War Department. Unfortunately, Cummings wasted much of his $2,000,000 budget, and was discharged for ineptitude and profiteering. After leaving the War Department, Cummings recruited the Nineteenth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers. In February 1864, Cummings was made Superintendent of Colored Troops for the Department of Arkansas, and was brevetted the rank of Brigadier General by President Johnson. U.S. President Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
appointed Cummings the new Governor of the Territory of Colorado on October 17, 1865 to replace John Evans
John Evans (governor)
John Evans was a U.S. politician, physician, railroad promoter, Governor of the Territory of Colorado, and namesake of Evanston, Illinois; Evans, Colorado; and Mount Evans, Colorado...
who resigned following the Sand Creek Massacre
Sand Creek Massacre
As conflict between Indians and white settlers and soldiers in Colorado continued, many of the Cheyenne and Arapaho, including bands under Cheyenne chiefs Black Kettle and White Antelope, were resigned to negotiate peace. The chiefs had sought to maintain peace in spite of pressures from whites...
. Cummings served as Territorial Governor until April 27, 1867. Cummings died in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, in June 1879.
See also
- History of ColoradoHistory of ColoradoThe human history of Colorado extends back more than 13,000 years. The region that is today the state of Colorado was first inhabited by Native Americans...
- Law and Government of ColoradoLaw and Government of ColoradoThe Constitution of the State of Colorado provides for three branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial branches.-Sovereignty of the people:...
- List of Governors of Colorado
- Territory of Colorado