John Brough facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Brough
26th Governor of Ohio
In office January 11, 1864 – August 29, 1865
Lieutenant	Charles Anderson
Preceded by	David Tod
Succeeded by	Charles Anderson
5th Ohio State Auditor
In office March 15, 1839 – March 15, 1845
Preceded by	John A. Bryan
Succeeded by	John Woods
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the Fairfield & Hocking counties district
In office December 3, 1838 – March 14, 1839
Preceded by	William Medill John Graybill
Succeeded by	James Spencer Lewis Hite
Personal details
Born	September 17, 1811 Marietta, Ohio, U.S.
Died	August 29, 1865(1865-08-29) (aged 53) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Resting place	Woodland Cemetery (Cleveland)
Nationality	American
Political party	Union Democrat
Spouses	Achsah P. Pruden Caroline A. Nelson
Children	7
Alma mater	Ohio University
Signature

John Brough (born September 17, 1811 – died August 29, 1865) was an important politician from Ohio. He was the 26th governor of Ohio. He served during the last years of the American Civil War. He passed away while still in office, shortly after the war ended.

John Brough's Early Life and Career

John Brough was born in Marietta, Ohio. His father was an immigrant from England, and his mother was from Pennsylvania. When he was only 11 years old, he became an orphan. To support himself, he started working as a printer's helper.

He later studied part-time for three years at Ohio University. While there, he also worked as a reporter for a local newspaper called the Athens Mirror. John Brough became a newspaper publisher first in Marietta, then in Lancaster. In Lancaster, he and his brother Charles bought a newspaper called the Ohio Eagle. This paper supported the ideas of the Democratic Party.

Starting in Politics

John Brough worked for two years as the Clerk of the Ohio Senate. During this time, he also reported on state government for his newspaper and another one called the Ohio Statesman. In 1837, he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives as a Democrat. He represented the Fairfield and Hocking counties. He served from 1838 to 1839. He was also in charge of the Committee on Banks and Currency.

After that, he became the State Auditor, serving until 1845. He was a trustee for Ohio University from 1840 to 1843.

Working with Railroads

In 1841, John and his brother bought another newspaper, the Cincinnati Advertiser. They changed its name to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Later, John Brough moved to Indiana and started working in the railroad business. In 1848, he became the President of the Madison and Indianapolis Railway. He also led the Bellefontaine and Indiana Railway.

John Brough was known for being a very large and hardworking man. The railroad company even named one of its engines "John Brough" in his honor. When the engine arrived in Madison on May 10, 1850, a local newspaper wrote that it was named "John Brough" because of its great weight and its ability to do a lot of work.

John Brough as Governor of Ohio

Many Republicans and Democrats in Ohio were not happy with the current governor, David Tod. They turned to John Brough after he gave a strong speech supporting the Union in his hometown of Marietta in June 1863. He was elected governor that fall. He ran on a ticket that supported the Union, partly because he was more in favor of ending slavery than Governor Tod.

John Brough was elected as a representative of the Unionist Party. This makes him the last Ohio governor who was not from either the Democratic or Republican parties. He also defeated Clement Vallandigham, a leader of the "Copperheads." The Copperheads were a group who wanted to make peace with the Southern states during the Civil War. After Brough won, President Abraham Lincoln sent him a message saying, "Glory to God in the Highest. Ohio has saved the Nation."

Leading Ohio During the Civil War

John Brough became governor in January 1864. He was described as a strong and energetic leader. He was known for being direct and outspoken.

As governor, Brough strongly supported President Lincoln's efforts during the war. He was very important in convincing other governors in the Midwest to raise "100-day regiments" in early 1864. These were groups of soldiers who would serve for 100 days to help free up more experienced troops for General Ulysses S. Grant's military campaigns. Ohio sent more than 34,000 troops, which was more than its goal.

Brough supported Lincoln's re-election in 1864. He worked very hard to support Ohio's soldiers fighting in the war. He was even offered the job of Secretary of the Treasury when Salmon P. Chase resigned, but Brough chose to stay as governor.

After the war ended in 1865, the alliance between Ohio's Republicans and War Democrats broke apart. Brough announced on June 15 that he would not seek to be governor again.

Historians have said that Brough gave his full effort to serving his state. They noted his energy, ability, integrity, and public spirit.

Personal Life and Death

John Brough was married twice and had seven children. In 1832, he married Achsah P. Pruden. She had two children and passed away in 1838. In 1843, Brough married Caroline A. Nelson. She had five children.

John Brough died while still in office on August 29, 1865. He was just 19 days shy of his 54th birthday. He had stumbled in the State House yard, hurting his hand and badly spraining his ankle. Using a cane caused an infection that led to his death. He was buried at Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland.

John Brough is honored with a bronze statue inside the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Cleveland, Ohio. This honors his service as governor during the Civil War.

Images for kids

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  Brough's sisters Mary and Jane, Brough, Caroline - his second wife, circa 1860.