Jeremiah McLain Rusk facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jeremiah Rusk
2nd United States Secretary of Agriculture
In office March 6, 1889 – March 6, 1893
President	Benjamin Harrison Grover Cleveland
Preceded by	Norman Coleman
Succeeded by	Julius Morton
15th Governor of Wisconsin
In office January 2, 1882 – January 7, 1889
Lieutenant	Sam Fifield George Ryland
Preceded by	William E. Smith
Succeeded by	William D. Hoard
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 7th district
In office March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1877
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	Herman L. Humphrey
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 6th district
In office March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873
Preceded by	Cadwallader C. Washburn
Succeeded by	Philetus Sawyer
6th Bank Comptroller of Wisconsin
In office January 1, 1866 – January 3, 1870
Governor	Lucius Fairchild
Preceded by	William Ramsey
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Bad Ax 2nd district
In office January 6, 1862 – January 5, 1863
Preceded by	Daniel Harris Johnson (Bad Ax–Crawford)
Succeeded by	Daniel B. Priest (Vernon 2nd)
Personal details
Born	Jeremiah McLain Rusk (1830-06-17)June 17, 1830 Malta, Ohio, U.S.
Died	November 21, 1893(1893-11-21) (aged 63) Viroqua, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting place	Viroqua Cemetery, Viroqua, Wisconsin
Political party	Republican
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1862–1865
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel Brevet Brig. General
Unit	25th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Jeremiah McLain Rusk (June 17, 1830 – November 21, 1893) was an important American politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. Rusk served as the 2nd United States Secretary of Agriculture from 1889 to 1893. Before that, he was the 15th Governor of Wisconsin from 1882 to 1889. He also spent three terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1871 to 1877, representing parts of Wisconsin. During the American Civil War, he was an officer in the Union Army. He also served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and was the last Bank Comptroller of Wisconsin.

Early Life and Start in Politics

Representative Jeremiah M. Rusk

Jeremiah Rusk was born in Malta, Ohio. He started his career in farming. Later, he worked as an innkeeper and then in banking. These jobs helped him gain experience before the Civil War.

Military Service During the Civil War

Rusk joined the Union Army during the American Civil War. He started as a major in the 25th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment in 1862. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1863. He took command of his regiment during the Battle of Atlanta in 1864. Rusk was wounded in Georgia in 1865. He left the army in June 1865. He was later honored with the rank of brevet brigadier general. This means he was recognized for his bravery and service.

Political Career After the War

After the Civil War, Jeremiah Rusk became a congressman. He represented Wisconsin in the U.S. House of Representatives for three terms. He served from 1871 to 1877. While in Congress, he led the Committee on Invalid Pensions. This committee helped soldiers who were injured during their service.

Governor of Wisconsin

After his time in Congress, Rusk ran for Governor of Wisconsin as a Republican. He won the election and served three terms. One of his most notable actions as governor happened in 1886. During labor strikes in Milwaukee, he sent the National Guard to help keep peace. This event is known as the Bay View Tragedy. Governor Rusk aimed to restore order in the city.

Secretary of Agriculture

In 1889, after being governor, Rusk accepted a new job. He became the first Secretary of Agriculture in President Benjamin Harrison's government. This was a new position in the President's cabinet. As Secretary of Agriculture, Rusk worked to help farmers and improve farming practices across the country.

Legacy and Later Life

Jeremiah Rusk lived, died, and was buried in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Rusk County, Wisconsin was named after him in 1905. The house he lived in as Governor is now known as the Old Executive Mansion. It was used as the official home for Wisconsin governors for many years. This house is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

See also

In Spanish: Jeremiah McLain Rusk para niños

• List of American Civil War brevet generals (Union)