Horace T. Sanders facts for kids

Horace Turner Sanders (born May 1, 1820 – died October 6, 1865) was an important American politician, lawyer, and military officer. He was born in New York and later moved to Wisconsin. There, he helped shape the state's laws. During the American Civil War, he bravely served as a colonel in the army.

Who Was Horace Turner Sanders?

Horace Turner Sanders was born on May 1, 1820, in Sheldon, New York. He grew up and went to school in Lockport, New York. After studying law, he became a lawyer. This meant he could practice law and help people with legal issues.

In 1842, when he was 22, Sanders moved to Racine, Wisconsin. At that time, Wisconsin was not yet a state. It was a territory.

Early Career and Wisconsin Politics

In Racine, Horace Sanders quickly became involved in public service. He served as the district attorney for Racine County, Wisconsin. A district attorney is a lawyer who works for the government. Their job is to bring legal cases against people accused of crimes. He held this important job both when Wisconsin was a territory and after it became a state.

Sanders played a big part in creating Wisconsin's laws. In 1847, he was part of the second Wisconsin Constitutional Convention. This was a special meeting where leaders wrote the rules for how Wisconsin would be governed. He helped write the Wisconsin Constitution, which is still used today. In 1853, he also served in the Wisconsin State Assembly. This is like the state's main law-making group.

Serving in the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Horace Sanders joined the Union Army. He became a colonel on April 17, 1862. He led the 19th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. This was a group of soldiers from Wisconsin.

From March to May 1864, Colonel Sanders commanded a brigade. A brigade is a large group of soldiers. This brigade was part of the Army of the James. He finished his military service on April 29, 1865.

A Posthumous Honor

Horace Sanders' health suffered because of his time in the army. He sadly passed away from tuberculosis on October 6, 1865. He died in Washington, D.C.

After his death, he received a special honor. On January 13, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated him for a promotion. This was to the rank of brevet brigadier general. A "brevet" rank is an honorary promotion. It recognizes brave service. The United States Senate confirmed this honor on March 12, 1866.