Edward A. Stevenson
Encyclopedia
Edward Augustus Stevenson (June 15, 1831 – July 6, 1895) was governor of Idaho Territory
from 1885 to 1889. Stevenson was the first resident of Idaho Territory appointed to the position and the only Democrat
to hold the office.
Stevenson's political career began in California where he held a variety of political positions including Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Legislature
. After moving to Idaho Territory
he remained active in politics until his appointment as governor. As governor, Stevenson exerted most of his efforts lobbying for the territory to be granted statehood.
, New York. His family included several future politician, including his brother Charles
, who became the fifth Governor of Nevada, his half brother John, who became the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
, and his cousin Adlai, who became Vice President of the United States. In 1839, his family lived in Canada for a short time before settling on a farm in Washtenaw County, Michigan
. Stevenson received an education there, first in the local schools and then at Grass Lake Academy.
. He soon became involved in politics, being elected Justice of the Peace
for El Dorado County
and to the California State Legislature
in 1853 and 1854.
Stevenson married Harriet Marcy on June 10, 1855. The marriage would produce three children: Frank, Harriet, and Wilmot.
The year after the wedding, the couple moved to a farm in Tehama County
. Stevenson worked as an Indian agent
for two years before his wife and children were killed by the Indians while he was away on official business.
Following this loss, Stevenson was again elected for terms in the California State Legislature
in 1859 and 1860. Other positions of influence include his election as Speaker pro Tempore during his time as a legislator and his selection as deputy sheriff and Mayor of Coloma, California
.
Stevenson remarried in November 1860. His marriage to Anna D. Orr produced a son, Charles C., who would become City Attorney for Boise, Idaho.
. He settled in the Boise Basin and soon acquired mining interests near Grimes Pass, Idaho. The next year he reentered politics by becoming Justice of the Peace. This was followed by 6 election runs for the territorial legislature, three successful and three unsuccessful. As result of his campaigns in 1866 and 1876 he served a pair of two-year terms on the Council
, while his election campaign in 1874 resulted in him becoming Speaker of the House of Representatives
.
In 1876, while also serving as a member of the Boise County
Commission
, he began reading law
and was admitted to the bar two years later. In 1882 he moved to the Payette Valley and shifted his business interests from mining to farming.
, Stevenson was nominated to become Governor of Idaho Territory by Grover Cleveland
on September 29, 1885. Following confirmation, his term of office began on October 10, 1885. By this time, Stevenson was associated with the territory's agricultural interests and his nomination represented a change of national policy allowing for more local control within the territory. He was Idaho Territory's only Democratic
governor and the first governor who resided within the territory at time of appointment.
Stevenson emphasized non-partisanship upon assuming office. He lobbied for expansion of the territory's mail routes and the size of the militia. Stevenson also opposed the burning of large sections of forest by the territory's Indian population along with other wasteful uses of natural resources. The new governor also lobbied for increases to the federally imposed limits to the territorial government's budget.
While Stevenson softened the anti-Mormon stance of his predecessors, his administration took a noticeably anti-Chinese stance. Chinese workers, who had immigrated to the United States during the 1850s and 1860s, were seen as a threat to the economic welfare of Anglo workers. The issue came to a head in 1885 when five Chinese merchants were hanged as murderers in Pierce City
. The Chinese Minister to the United States called for the incident to be fully investigated. Stevenson responded by decreeing the hung men had been guilty and had brought about incident with their "filthy habits". The governor also called for the deportation and exclusion of all Chinese from the territory.
Despite these incidents, the primary emphasis of Stevenson's administration was lobbying for expanded national representation and influence for the territory. He initially called for changes to Idaho's Organic Act
that would allow the governor more control over territorial appointments and grant residents "the privilege and right of voting in the election of President and Vice President of the united States". This effort changed in 1889 when Stevenson abandoned territorial reform efforts and instead began lobbying for statehood. The first problem he faced in this effort was a call by Idaho's northern counties to be joined to either western Montana or eastern Washington in a new territory. At the same time, Nevada was looking to annex the territory's southern counties. These efforts were looked upon favorably in the U.S. Congress, but through his friendship with President Cleveland, Stevenson was able to block the changes from occurring.
Following the inauguration of Benjamin Harrison
as President of the United States, Stevenson's days as governor came to an end, with Republican candidates lobbying to replace the Democratic governor. Stevenson's successor, George L. Shoup, was sworn in on April 30, 1889.
The strains of the campaign proved deleterious to Stevenson's health and he moved to Paraiso Springs in Monterey County, California
in an effort to recover. The former governor died there on July 6, 1895 from a laudanum
overdose and was buried at the Pioneer Cemetery in Boise, Idaho
.
Idaho Territory
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 4, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Idaho.-1860s:...
from 1885 to 1889. Stevenson was the first resident of Idaho Territory appointed to the position and the only Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to hold the office.
Stevenson's political career began in California where he held a variety of political positions including Speaker pro Tempore of the California State Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
. After moving to Idaho Territory
Idaho Territory
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 4, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Idaho.-1860s:...
he remained active in politics until his appointment as governor. As governor, Stevenson exerted most of his efforts lobbying for the territory to be granted statehood.
Early life
Stevenson was born June 15, 1831 in LowvilleLowville (town), New York
Lowville is a town in Lewis County, New York, United States. The population was 4,548 at the 2000 census. The town is near the center of the county and is southeast of the city of Watertown. Lowville contains a village also named Lowville, which is the county seat. The town of is named after...
, New York. His family included several future politician, including his brother Charles
Charles C. Stevenson
Charles Clark Stevenson was an American politician. He was the 5th Governor of Nevada. He was a member of the Republican Party.-Biography:...
, who became the fifth Governor of Nevada, his half brother John, who became the first Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
, and his cousin Adlai, who became Vice President of the United States. In 1839, his family lived in Canada for a short time before settling on a farm in Washtenaw County, Michigan
Washtenaw County, Michigan
Washtenaw County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 344,791. Its county seat is Ann Arbor. The United States Office of Management and Budget defines the county as part of the Detroit–Warren–Flint Combined Statistical Area...
. Stevenson received an education there, first in the local schools and then at Grass Lake Academy.
California
Stevenson left home in 1849 as part of the California Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
. He soon became involved in politics, being elected Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
for El Dorado County
El Dorado County, California
El Dorado County is a county located in the historic Gold Country in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and foothills of the U.S. state of California. The 2010 population was 181,058. The El Dorado county seat is in Placerville....
and to the California State Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
in 1853 and 1854.
Stevenson married Harriet Marcy on June 10, 1855. The marriage would produce three children: Frank, Harriet, and Wilmot.
The year after the wedding, the couple moved to a farm in Tehama County
Tehama County, California
Tehama County is a county located in the northern part of the U.S. state of California. It is bisected by the Sacramento River. As of 2010 its population was 63,463, up from 56,039 as of 2000. The county seat is Red Bluff.-History:...
. Stevenson worked as an Indian agent
Indian agent
In United States history, an Indian agent was an individual authorized to interact with Native American tribes on behalf of the U.S. government.-Indian agents:*Leander Clark was agent for the Sac and Fox in Iowa beginning in 1866....
for two years before his wife and children were killed by the Indians while he was away on official business.
Following this loss, Stevenson was again elected for terms in the California State Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
in 1859 and 1860. Other positions of influence include his election as Speaker pro Tempore during his time as a legislator and his selection as deputy sheriff and Mayor of Coloma, California
Coloma, California
Coloma is a census-designated place in El Dorado County, California, USA. It is approximately northeast of Sacramento, California. Coloma is most noted for being the site where James W. Marshall first discovered gold in California, at Sutter's Mill on January 24, 1848, leading to the California...
.
Stevenson remarried in November 1860. His marriage to Anna D. Orr produced a son, Charles C., who would become City Attorney for Boise, Idaho.
Idaho
Stevenson moved to Idaho Territory in 1863 during the Idaho gold rushGold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
. He settled in the Boise Basin and soon acquired mining interests near Grimes Pass, Idaho. The next year he reentered politics by becoming Justice of the Peace. This was followed by 6 election runs for the territorial legislature, three successful and three unsuccessful. As result of his campaigns in 1866 and 1876 he served a pair of two-year terms on the Council
Upper house
An upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...
, while his election campaign in 1874 resulted in him becoming Speaker of the House of Representatives
Lower house
A lower house is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the upper house.Despite its official position "below" the upper house, in many legislatures worldwide the lower house has come to wield more power...
.
In 1876, while also serving as a member of the Boise County
Boise County, Idaho
Boise County is a rural mountain county in the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 6,670 at the 2000 census; it was estimated at 7,571 in 2007...
Commission
County commission
A county commission is a group of elected officials charged with administering the county government in local government in some states of the United States. County commissions are usually made up of three or more individuals...
, he began reading law
Reading law
Reading law is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law schools. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession . A small number of U.S...
and was admitted to the bar two years later. In 1882 he moved to the Payette Valley and shifted his business interests from mining to farming.
Governorship
Based upon a recommendation from Territorial Delegate John HaileyJohn Hailey
John Hailey was a Congressional Delegate from Idaho Territory.He was born in Smith County, Tennessee, and attended the public schools. Of Scottish ancestry, his grandfather, Philip Hailey, and his father, John Hailey, were both natives of Virginia...
, Stevenson was nominated to become Governor of Idaho Territory by Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
on September 29, 1885. Following confirmation, his term of office began on October 10, 1885. By this time, Stevenson was associated with the territory's agricultural interests and his nomination represented a change of national policy allowing for more local control within the territory. He was Idaho Territory's only Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
governor and the first governor who resided within the territory at time of appointment.
Stevenson emphasized non-partisanship upon assuming office. He lobbied for expansion of the territory's mail routes and the size of the militia. Stevenson also opposed the burning of large sections of forest by the territory's Indian population along with other wasteful uses of natural resources. The new governor also lobbied for increases to the federally imposed limits to the territorial government's budget.
While Stevenson softened the anti-Mormon stance of his predecessors, his administration took a noticeably anti-Chinese stance. Chinese workers, who had immigrated to the United States during the 1850s and 1860s, were seen as a threat to the economic welfare of Anglo workers. The issue came to a head in 1885 when five Chinese merchants were hanged as murderers in Pierce City
Pierce, Idaho
Pierce is a city in Clearwater County, Idaho. Elias D. Pierce and Wilbur F. Bassett made the first discovery of gold in Idaho , on Orofino Creek in 1860, a mile north of Pierce....
. The Chinese Minister to the United States called for the incident to be fully investigated. Stevenson responded by decreeing the hung men had been guilty and had brought about incident with their "filthy habits". The governor also called for the deportation and exclusion of all Chinese from the territory.
Despite these incidents, the primary emphasis of Stevenson's administration was lobbying for expanded national representation and influence for the territory. He initially called for changes to Idaho's Organic Act
Organic Act
An Organic Act, in United States law, is an Act of the United States Congress that establishes a territory of the United States or an agency to manage certain federal lands. The first such act was the Northwest Ordinance, enacted by the Congress of the Confederation in 1787 in order to create the...
that would allow the governor more control over territorial appointments and grant residents "the privilege and right of voting in the election of President and Vice President of the united States". This effort changed in 1889 when Stevenson abandoned territorial reform efforts and instead began lobbying for statehood. The first problem he faced in this effort was a call by Idaho's northern counties to be joined to either western Montana or eastern Washington in a new territory. At the same time, Nevada was looking to annex the territory's southern counties. These efforts were looked upon favorably in the U.S. Congress, but through his friendship with President Cleveland, Stevenson was able to block the changes from occurring.
Following the inauguration of Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
as President of the United States, Stevenson's days as governor came to an end, with Republican candidates lobbying to replace the Democratic governor. Stevenson's successor, George L. Shoup, was sworn in on April 30, 1889.
Later life
After his term as territorial governor, Stevenson moved back to his farm. In addition to his farming activities, he won the contract for a profitable mail run. In 1894, he ran unsuccessfully for state governor.The strains of the campaign proved deleterious to Stevenson's health and he moved to Paraiso Springs in Monterey County, California
Monterey County, California
Monterey County is a county located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, its northwestern section forming the southern half of Monterey Bay. The northern half of the bay is in Santa Cruz County. As of 2010, the population was 415,057. The county seat and largest city is Salinas...
in an effort to recover. The former governor died there on July 6, 1895 from a laudanum
Laudanum
Laudanum , also known as Tincture of Opium, is an alcoholic herbal preparation containing approximately 10% powdered opium by weight ....
overdose and was buried at the Pioneer Cemetery in Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
.