Francis E. Warren facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Francis E. Warren
United States Senator from Wyoming
In office November 24, 1890 – March 3, 1893
Preceded by	office established
Succeeded by	Clarence D. Clark
In office March 4, 1895 – November 24, 1929
Preceded by	Joseph M. Carey
Succeeded by	Patrick J. Sullivan
1st Governor of Wyoming
In office October 11, 1890 - November 24, 1890
Preceded by	Himself as Territorial Governor
Succeeded by	Amos W. Barber
Personal details
Born	Francis Emroy Warren (1844-06-20)June 20, 1844 Hinsdale, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	November 24, 1929(1929-11-24) (aged 85) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Helen M. Smith (1871–1902; her death) Clara LeNaron Morgan (m. June 28, 1911–?)
Profession	Politician, farmer
Awards	Medal of Honor
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Branch/service	Union Army Massachusetts Militia
Rank	Corporal (U.S.) Captain (Massachusetts)
Unit	49th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Francis Emroy Warren (born June 20, 1844 – died November 24, 1929) was an important American politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. He is best known for serving many years in the United States Senate for Wyoming. He was also the very first Governor of Wyoming.

During the American Civil War, he was a soldier in the Union Army. He was the last soldier from that war to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Early Life and Military Service

Francis Warren was born on June 20, 1844. His hometown was Hinsdale, Massachusetts. His parents were Cynthia Estella (Abbott) and Joseph Spencer Warren. He went to local schools and Hinsdale Academy as he grew up.

During the Civil War, Warren joined the 49th Massachusetts Infantry. He served as a noncommissioned officer. When he was 19, he showed great bravery at the siege of Port Hudson. His entire group of soldiers was hit by enemy bombs. Even though Warren was badly hurt on his head, he managed to stop the enemy's cannons. For his actions, he received the Medal of Honor. Later, Warren also served as a captain in the Massachusetts Militia.

Family Life

Mrs Francis E. Warren

Francis E. Warren married Helen Smith. She was from Massachusetts. They lived in Wyoming for most of their married life. They had two children: a daughter named Helen Frances and a son named Frederick Emory. Their daughter, Helen Warren, later married General John J. Pershing. Mrs. Warren was very active in her community. She led church groups and charities in Cheyenne.

Business and Political Career

After the Civil War, Warren worked as a farmer and raised animals in Massachusetts. In 1868, he moved to Wyoming. At that time, Wyoming was part of the Territory of Dakota. He settled in Cheyenne. There, he became very successful in different businesses. He worked in real estate, ran a mercantile business, and raised livestock. He even helped set up Cheyenne's first lighting system. These ventures made him quite wealthy.

Warren also held many important political jobs:

• He was a member of the Wyoming Territorial Senate from 1873–1874 and again from 1884–1885. He even served as the senate president.
• He was on the Cheyenne City Council from 1873–1874.
• He served as the treasurer of Wyoming in 1876, 1879, 1882, and 1884.
• He was the Mayor of Cheyenne in 1885.

In February 1885, President Chester A. Arthur chose Warren to be the Governor of the Territory of Wyoming. However, a new president, Grover Cleveland, who was a Democrat, removed him in November 1886. President Benjamin Harrison reappointed him in April 1889. Warren served as territorial governor until 1890. In October 1890, he was elected as the first Governor of Wyoming. He served in this role until November 24, 1890.

Years in the Senate and Later Life

In November 1890, Warren resigned as governor. He had been elected to the United States Senate as a Republican. He served in the Senate until March 4, 1893. After that, he went back to his businesses for a short time. He then returned to the Senate on March 4, 1895, and served until November 24, 1929.

During his time in the Senate, Warren led several important committees:

• Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation of Arid Lands
• Committee on Claims
• Committee on Irrigation
• Committee on Military Affairs
• Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds
• Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
• Committee on Appropriations
• Committee on Engrossed Bills

Francis Warren passed away on November 24, 1929, in Washington, D.C.. His funeral was held in the United States Senate chamber. When he died, he had served longer in the U.S. Senate than anyone else before him.

Legacy and Impact

F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is named after Francis E. Warren. His daughter married John J. Pershing in 1905. Years later, President Theodore Roosevelt promoted Pershing to brigadier general. This was a big deal because Pershing jumped over 900 more senior officers. Sadly, Pershing's wife and three daughters later died in a fire.

Warren was also the first senator to hire a female staff member. During World War I, he was in charge of the committee that decided how money would be spent. He was very important in getting funds for America's war efforts. In April 1910, Warren and his second wife, Clara LaBarron Morgan, bought the Nagle Warren Mansion. Famous people like presidents Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft visited them there. This mansion is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1958, he was honored by being added to the Hall of Great Westerners. This is part of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.