David Jerome

David Jerome
18th Governor of Michigan
In office January 1, 1881 – January 1, 1883
Lieutenant	Moreau S. Crosby
Preceded by	Charles Croswell
Succeeded by	Josiah Begole
Personal details
Born	November 17, 1829 Detroit, Michigan
Died	April 23, 1896 (aged 66) Saginaw, Michigan
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Lucy Peck
Religion	Episcopalian

David Howell Jerome (November 17, 1829 – April 23, 1896) was an American politician. He served as the 18th Governor of Michigan (1881–1883)

Early life

He was born in Detroit, Michigan to Horace and Elizabeth Rose (Hart) Jerome who had emigrated to Michigan from Trumansburg, New York in 1828. He was the last of nine children (four by his first wife, five by his second) born to his father, who died on March 30, 1831. Soon after his father’s death, Jerome's mother returned with her children to her native New York, near Syracuse. In 1834, they returned to Michigan, to a farm in St. Clair County. As a boy he did farm work and excelled in school attending the St. Clair Academy, where he was allowed to remain until the age of sixteen. He also worked for a time hauling and rafting logs down the St. Clair River to Algonac.

In 1855, Jerome and a brother moved to Saginaw where he served as alderman. On June 15, 1859, Jerome married Lucy Peck. He enthusiastically helped raise a Civil War regiment in 1862, serving as the colonel of the 23rd Michigan Infantry, and was an active Union supporter throughout his subsequent state senate service.

Politics

Jerome, a Republican, was a merchant by profession. He was a member of the Michigan Senate from the 27th District 1863–66 and from the 26th District 1867–68, and was appointed Chairman of the Committee on State Affairs upon taking office. He also served as Governor Henry Crapo's military aide from 1865 to 1866, and was a member of the State Military Board from 1865 to 1873. He was also an alternate delegate to the 1868 Republican National Convention, and, appointed by Governor John J. Bagley, a member of the Michigan state constitutional commission in 1873 from the 8th district, and was Chairman of the Committee on Finance. He served, as well, on the U.S. Board of Indian Commissioners from 1876 to 1881.

On November 2, 1880, Jerome was elected the 18th Governor of Michigan serving from January 1, 1881 to January 1, 1883, defeating Democrat Frederick M. Holloway. During his tenure, an immigration commissioner was named; the Traverse City State Hospital for the Insane was founded; the state's railroad system was advanced; and the Michigan School for the Blind was established in Lansing. He was defeated for re-election in 1882, by Democrat Josiah Begole, ending a record 28-year span of Republican Governors in Michigan.

Retirement and death

Six years after leaving office, he was appointed and served on the Cherokee Commission, which attained land from the Indians to form the Oklahoma Territory. An Episcopalian, he died in Saginaw, Michigan and is interred at Oak Hill Cemetery in Pontiac.

References

• Political Graveyard
• Memorial Library
• Find a Grave
• National Governors Association

Political offices
Preceded by Charles Croswell	Governor of Michigan 1881–1883	Succeeded by Josiah Begole

Persondata
Name	Jerome, David
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 17, 1829
Place of birth	Detroit, Michigan
Date of death	April 23, 1896
Place of death	Saginaw, Michigan