J. P. C. Emmons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids J. P. C. Emmons
12th Florida Attorney General
In office 1872 – January 16, 1873
Governor	Harrison Reed
Preceded by	Horatio Bisbee Jr.
Succeeded by	William A. Cocke
Prosecuting Attorney for Wayne County
In office 1855–1857
Governor	Kinsley S. Bingham
Member of the Wayne County School Board
In office 1853–1854
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the Wayne district
In office January 3, 1848 – 1848
3rd Clerk of the Michigan House of Representatives
In office 1838–1838
Governor	Stevens T. Mason
Preceded by	Anthony Ten Eyck
Succeeded by	Elijah J. Roberts
Personal details
Born	(1818-01-01)January 1, 1818 Hudson Falls, New York
Died	April 15, 1877(1877-04-15) (aged 59) Jacksonville, Florida
Political party	Democratic (before 1854) Republican (after 1854)
Spouse	Martha Eason Davisson
Occupation	Attorney
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1861–1865
Rank	Captain
Unit	1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Jedediah Philo Clark Emmons (born January 1, 1818 – died April 15, 1877) was an American lawyer and politician. People often called him Jed P. C. Emmons or J. P. C. Emmons. He was the 12th Attorney General for the state of Florida.

Emmons' Early Life and Learning

Jedediah Emmons was born on January 1, 1818, in Hudson Falls, New York. In 1836, he moved to Detroit, Michigan, with his father and brother. His father, Adonijah, was also a lawyer. His brother, Halmor Hull, later became a federal judge.

When he arrived in Michigan, Emmons became the private secretary for Governor Stevens T. Mason. He learned a lot about law from Governor Mason during this time.

In 1838, Governor Mason appointed Emmons as the Clerk of the Michigan House of Representatives. He stayed in this job for only one year. He left to continue his studies in law. In 1840, Emmons passed the exam to become a lawyer in Michigan. The same year, he started a law firm in Detroit with his father and brother. It was called A. Emmons & Sons.

Political Career and Military Service

In 1848, Emmons, who was a member of the Democratic Party, was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. He represented Wayne County. He served on important committees like State Affairs and Ways and Means. However, he resigned within the year to go back to working as a private lawyer.

In 1851, Governor John S. Barry appointed Emmons as a commissioner for the circuit court in Marquette County, Michigan. In 1853, he was elected to the Wayne County School Board. He resigned from this position the next year. In 1855, Governor Kinsley S. Bingham appointed Emmons as the Prosecuting Attorney for Wayne County. He held this job until 1857.

In 1854, Emmons joined the new Republican Party.

Service in the Civil War

When the American Civil War began in 1861, Emmons joined the Union Army. He served in Company K of the 1st Michigan Cavalry. He started as a private soldier and worked his way up to become a captain.

Emmons was also part of the Michigan Brigade. This group of Michigan cavalry regiments was led by Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer. The Michigan Brigade fought in many major battles of the war. They were at the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. They also fought until the very end, at the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse in April 1865.

Post-War Politics in Florida

After the war ended, Emmons moved to Jacksonville, Florida. In 1872, Florida Governor Harrison Reed appointed Emmons as the Florida Attorney General. This happened after the previous Attorney General, Horatio Bisbee, Jr., resigned. Emmons served in this role until January 1873. At that time, Judge William A. Cocke was officially elected to take over the position.

Personal Life and Death

Emmons was married to Martha Eason Davisson. She was originally from Illinois.

Jedediah Emmons died at his home in Jacksonville on April 15, 1877. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan.