[Mormon War, Constitutional Convention] Ozias Skinner Makes Gubernatorial Choice

Description

OZIAS SKINNER (1817 – 1877) was an Illinois attorney, legislator, jurist and railroad present. On December 30, 1846, in the Sangamon County Circuit Court, Skinner represented the plaintiff in the case of Chauncey v. Jackson; Abraham Lincoln represented the defendant.  During the Mormon War, Sinner was an aide-de-camp to Governor Thomas Ford. He later served in the lower house of the State Assembly and in 1851 was elected judge of the 15th Judicial District. In 1855, he succeeded Judge S.H. Treat on the Supreme Court and served until 1858.  Skinner was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1869 and served on the Committee of Judiciary.  He was a large land owner and had extensive farming interests. He built and became the first president of the Carthage & Quincy Railroad.
One page, 7 1/2 x 9 1/2, ALS, Quincy, IL, 1856 March 24, commenting on the candidate for governor for Illinois in the upcoming convention. In part, “...I do not believe we could get a better governor. As a Democrat, unaffected by the issues...a generous man, he cannot be beaten. It would please our friends in this region if you would have the name of Samuel Holmes of Quincy before your folks in Convention with the office of Governor.  Does it meet you favorably?  Your friend Ozias Skinner.”
Some fading around the border, not affecting the writing. Small tear at top reinforced with archival tape.
Provenance Christies.
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