John Long Routt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Long Routt
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| 1st and 7th Governor of Colorado | |
| In office January 13, 1891 – January 10, 1893 |
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| Lieutenant | William Story |
| Preceded by | Job Adams Cooper |
| Succeeded by | Davis H. Waite |
| In office November 3, 1876 – January 14, 1879 |
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| Lieutenant | Lafayette Head |
| Preceded by | Himself (as Governor of the Territory of Colorado) |
| Succeeded by | Frederick W. Pitkin |
| 8th Governor of the Territory of Colorado | |
| In office March 29, 1875 – November 3, 1876 |
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| Preceded by | Edward M. McCook |
| Succeeded by | Himself (as Governor of the State) |
| 17th Mayor of Denver | |
| In office 1883–1885 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Morris |
| Succeeded by | Joseph E. Bates |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 25, 1826 Eddyville, Kentucky |
| Died | August 13, 1907 (aged 81) Denver, Colorado |
| Political party | Republican |
| Signature |  |
John Long Routt (born April 25, 1826 – died August 13, 1907) was an important American politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. Born in Eddyville, Kentucky, he made history as the first governor of Colorado. He served two times: first from 1876 to 1879, and again from 1891 to 1893. He was also the mayor of Denver from 1883 to 1885. John Routt passed away in Denver, Colorado.
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Early Life and Career
John Long Routt was born in Eddyville, Kentucky. Soon after, his family moved to Bloomington, Illinois. There, he finished his public school education. After school, he worked as a carpenter before starting his career in politics.
While living in Illinois, he got his first elected job. He became the Sheriff of McLean County, Illinois. His growing public service career was paused when he joined the American Civil War. During the war, he served as a captain in the 94th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
Becoming Governor of Colorado
Leading the Colorado Territory
U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant chose John Routt to be the Governor of the Colorado Territory on March 29, 1875. For a long time, Colorado wanted to become a state. Lawmakers like Thomas Patterson and Jerome Chaffee worked on a plan for Colorado to form its own state government. Routt spent much of his time as Territorial Governor discussing what should be in Colorado's state constitution.
First State Governor
After Colorado officially became a state, John Routt was very popular. He easily won the election to become the first state governor. He didn't even have to make a single public speech! As the first governor, Routt worked on big issues facing Colorado. These included problems with violence near the city of Creede, Colorado. He also dealt with how counties were valued for taxes.
Routt was also well-liked by women in the state. This was because he strongly supported women's suffrage. Women's suffrage means the right for women to vote. His wife, Eliza Pickrell Routt, was a leader in this movement. She encouraged him to support it. At one point, he helped arrange a speaking tour for the famous women's rights activist Susan B. Anthony. He even personally took her around the state. When women in Colorado first got the right to vote in 1893, his wife, Eliza Pickrell Routt, became the first woman to register to vote in Colorado history.
Later Years and Legacy
After his first time as Governor of Colorado, Routt worked in private business. But he returned to public service later. He served as the Mayor of Denver from 1883 to 1885. After trying to become a U.S. Senator and not winning, Routt ran for governor again in 1891. He won and served as Colorado's seventh Governor until 1893. His third term had a lot of disagreement among the Republicans in Colorado's state government.
John Routt was buried in Denver's Riverside Cemetery. Routt County, Colorado and Routt National Forest are named in his honor.
