John Cradlebaugh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Cradlebaugh
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| Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Nevada Territory's at-large district |
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| In office December 2, 1861 – March 3, 1863 |
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| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Gordon Newell Mott |
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| Born | February 22, 1819 Circleville, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | February 22, 1872 (aged 53) Eureka, Nevada, U.S. |
| Political party | Independent |
| Education | Kenyon College Miami University, Oxford |
John Cradlebaugh (born February 22, 1819 – died February 22, 1872) was an important American politician and judge. He is especially known for being the very first person to represent the Nevada Territory in the United States House of Representatives. He also served as a judge and a soldier during the American Civil War.
Contents
John Cradlebaugh's Early Life and Education
John Cradlebaugh was born in Circleville, Ohio, on February 22, 1819. He went to local schools in his hometown. Later, he attended two colleges in Ohio: Kenyon College and Miami University.
He chose to study law, which is the study of rules and laws in a country. In 1840, he officially became a lawyer. A few years later, in 1858, he was appointed as a United States judge for the district of Utah.
His Time as a Judge in Utah
In March 1859, Judge Cradlebaugh began investigating some serious events in Provo, Utah. He called a grand jury to look into several unsolved cases and crimes that had happened in the area.
However, the jury decided not to bring any charges or give a report. Judge Cradlebaugh then dismissed the jury. He continued his investigation on his own, acting as a special judge. He even had a military escort to help him.
Some officials in the Utah Territory, like Governor Alfred Cumming, did not agree with Judge Cradlebaugh using federal troops. They asked for the troops to be removed. Because of this, the United States Attorney General, Jeremiah S. Black, later stopped Cradlebaugh and another judge from using troops in Utah.
Representing Nevada in Congress
After his time as a judge in Utah, John Cradlebaugh moved to Carson City, Nevada. When the Nevada Territory was officially formed, he was chosen to be its first "Delegate" to the United States Congress.
A delegate is like a representative, but from a territory that is not yet a state. He served in the Thirty-seventh Congress from December 2, 1861, to March 3, 1863. This was during the early years of the American Civil War.
Military Service During the Civil War
While serving as a delegate, John Cradlebaugh also became a Colonel in the Union Army. He led the 114th Ohio Infantry regiment. He served from April 27, 1862, until October 20, 1863.
He was honorably discharged from the army after being wounded during the Battle of Vicksburg. This was a very important battle during the Civil War.
Later Life and Legacy
After his military service, John Cradlebaugh returned to Nevada. He started working in the mining business. He continued this work until his death in Eureka, Nevada, on February 22, 1872, which was his 53rd birthday.
He was buried in Forest Cemetery, back in his hometown of Circleville, Ohio.
See also
In Spanish: John Cradlebaugh para niños
