Joseph W. McClurg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph W. McClurg
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| 19th Governor of Missouri | |
| In office January 12, 1869 – January 4, 1871 |
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| Lieutenant | Edwin O. Stanard |
| Preceded by | Thomas Clement Fletcher |
| Succeeded by | B. Gratz Brown |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Missouri's 5th district |
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| In office March 4, 1863 – July 1868 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas L. Price |
| Succeeded by | John H. Stover |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 22, 1818 St. Louis County, Missouri |
| Died | December 2, 1900 (aged 82) Lebanon, Missouri |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residences | St. Joseph, Missouri |
| Alma mater | Xenia Academy, Oxford College |
| Profession | businessman |
Joseph Washington McClurg (February 22, 1818 – December 2, 1900) was an important leader in Missouri. He served as the 19th Governor of Missouri right after the American Civil War. He was also a successful businessman and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. His stepfather was William Murphy.
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Early Life and Education
Joseph McClurg was born near St. Louis, Missouri. When he was seven years old, he became an orphan. His grandparents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania raised him. His grandfather owned the first iron foundry in that city.
Joseph went to Xenia Academy and Oxford College in Ohio. After finishing school, he taught for a short time. He taught in Louisiana and Mississippi during the 1830s.
Early Career and Business Ventures
After teaching, Joseph McClurg returned to St. Louis. He worked as a deputy for his uncle, Sheriff Marshall Brotherton. At 19, he studied law and was allowed to practice in Texas. However, he never actually worked as a lawyer.
In 1841, he came back to Missouri and married Mary Catherine Johnson. Joseph was involved in lead mining and selling goods. He even created "McClurg's Old Salt Road." This road helped him get salt to his customers in rural Missouri. In 1844, he opened a store in Hazelwood, Missouri, with his stepfather. Hazelwood was the first county seat of Webster County.
California Gold Rush and New Businesses
In 1850, Joseph McClurg traveled to California for the gold rush. He opened a store for miners in Georgetown, California. This town was about 12 miles from Sutter's Mill. After two years, he returned to Missouri.
This time, he settled in Linn Creek, Missouri. This area is now under the Lake of the Ozarks. There, he built a very successful business. He supplied goods to settlers and merchants. His customers were in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and the Indian Territory.
Public Service and the Civil War
Joseph McClurg strongly supported keeping the United States together. He was known as a "unionist." In March 1861, he was a delegate at the important Gamble Convention. At this meeting, Missouri decided to stay part of the Union.
During the Civil War, McClurg served as a colonel. He led the 8th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Later, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served three terms, being elected in 1862, 1864, and 1866.
Governor of Missouri
Joseph McClurg resigned from his last term in Congress. He wanted to run for Governor of Missouri. He ran as a Radical Republican. This political group was against allowing former Confederates to vote again.
He won the election and served a two-year term as governor. However, the Radical Republican party became less popular. Because of this, he lost his bid for re-election.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1886, Joseph McClurg moved to the Dakota Territory. He went with his son, Joseph, and his daughter, Fannie. Fannie also brought her six children. They hoped to start a new life there, as the weather had been mild for several years.
However, the winter of 1886-87 was extremely harsh. This difficult winter convinced the family to return to Missouri. Joseph McClurg was later appointed Registrar of Lands in Springfield, Missouri. He then returned to Lebanon, Missouri, where he passed away in 1900.
