Charles J. Jenkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Jones Jenkins
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| 44th Governor of Georgia | |
| In office December 14, 1865 – January 13, 1868 |
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| Preceded by | James Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Thomas H. Ruger |
| Attorney General of Georgia | |
| In office 1831-1834 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | January 6, 1805 Beaufort, South Carolina |
| Died | June 14, 1883 (aged 78) Augusta, Georgia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Union College |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Charles Jones Jenkins (born January 6, 1805 – died June 14, 1883) was an important American politician from the state of Georgia. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Jenkins served as the top lawyer for Georgia, called the Attorney General, from 1831 to 1834. Later, he became the Governor of Georgia from 1865 to 1868. He was removed from office by the military during a difficult time after the Civil War. Even after this, he remained a respected person in Georgia. He even received two votes for president in the 1872 United States presidential election, even though he wasn't running! This happened because another candidate, Horace Greeley, passed away.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Charles Jenkins was born in South Carolina. His family later moved to Jefferson County, Georgia. When he was young, he attended the University of Georgia in Athens.
Jenkins did not finish his studies at the University of Georgia. Instead, he completed his education in 1824 at Union College in Schenectady, New York. In 1831, Jenkins became the attorney general for the State of Georgia. This job means he was the state's main lawyer. He held this position until 1834.
Political Career
Jenkins first became widely known for writing something called the Georgia Platform. This was a special statement from Georgia that supported a big agreement in the country called the Compromise of 1850.
In the 1852 Presidential election, Jenkins ran for Vice President. He was on the ticket with presidential candidate Daniel Webster for a group called the "Union Party."
During the American Civil War, Jenkins was chosen by Governor Joseph E. Brown to be a judge on the Supreme Court of Georgia. This is the highest court in the state.
Governor of Georgia
After the Civil War ended, Georgia's state government was being rebuilt. In 1865, Jenkins ran for governor and was the only candidate. He served as the Governor of Georgia from 1865 to 1868. This period was known as Reconstruction, when the Southern states were being brought back into the United States.
In 1868, there was a disagreement about how the state should be run. The U.S. military was in charge of Georgia at the time. Jenkins refused to let state money be used for a special meeting to write a new state constitution. Because of this, General George Meade removed Jenkins from office. General Thomas H. Ruger was then put in charge as the military governor.
Jenkins left the state for a short time. He even took the state seal with him, which is a special stamp used to make official documents. This made it harder for the military to use state funds. He later returned to Georgia.
Later Political Life
In the 1872 U.S. presidential election, Jenkins received two votes from the Electoral College. This is unusual because he was not a candidate in that election. The votes came from Georgia electors because the original candidate, Horace Greeley, passed away after the election but before the electors officially cast their votes.
In 1877, Georgia held another meeting to write a new state constitution. The people at this meeting, called delegates, all chose Jenkins to be their president. This shows how much he was respected in Georgia.
Death and Legacy
Charles Jones Jenkins passed away on June 14, 1883. He was buried in Summerville Cemetery in Augusta, Georgia.
A county in Georgia, Jenkins County, Georgia, is named in his honor.
See also
- List of speakers of the Georgia House of Representatives
