Lewis E. Parsons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lewis Eliphalet Parsons
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| 19th Governor of Alabama | |
| In office June 21, 1865 – December 13, 1865 |
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| Appointed by | Andrew Johnson |
| Preceded by | Thomas H. Watts |
| Succeeded by | Robert M. Patton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 28, 1817 Lisle, Broome County, New York |
| Died | June 8, 1895 (aged 78) |
| Political party | Democratic |
Lewis Eliphalet Parsons (born April 28, 1817 – died June 8, 1895) was an important political leader in Alabama. He served as the provisional, or temporary, Governor of Alabama from June to December 1865. This was right after the American Civil War ended.
Early Life and Career
Lewis E. Parsons was born in Broome County, New York, on April 28, 1817. He went to public schools and later studied law. He learned about law in offices in New York and Pennsylvania.
In 1840, Parsons moved to Talladega, Alabama. There, he started practicing law with another lawyer, Alexander White. He became involved in politics, serving as a presidential elector in 1856 and 1860. He was also a member of the Alabama House of Representatives in 1859 and again in 1865. During the Civil War, he fought briefly as a Confederate lieutenant in the Battle of Munford in April 1865.
Governor of Alabama
After the Civil War ended in April 1865, Alabama's government changed a lot. President Andrew Johnson chose Lewis Parsons to be the temporary governor of Alabama on June 21, 1865.
As governor, Parsons quickly got to work. His first action was to bring back the state's laws from 1861. However, he made sure to remove any laws that supported slavery, as slavery had been abolished. He also called for a special meeting, a constitutional convention, which took place on September 12, 1865. At this meeting, leaders decided to officially cancel Alabama's decision to leave the United States. They also said the state would not pay back its war debts and confirmed that slavery was over. The convention also set up elections for new state officials and representatives to Congress.
Parsons' time as governor ended on December 13, 1865. After his term, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. However, he was not allowed to take his seat by the Republican party, which was in control of Congress at the time. Later, he also worked as the U.S. District Attorney for northern Alabama.
Witnessing War's Aftermath
After the Civil War, Lewis Parsons visited Selma, Alabama, in 1865. The city had been greatly damaged during the war. Parsons later gave lectures about what he saw. He described how the city was left in ruins after a large cavalry force passed through. He noted that many buildings were destroyed and the area was heavily impacted by the fighting. He felt that no description could truly show how bad the reality was.
Death and Family
Lewis Parsons passed away on June 8, 1895. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Talladega, Alabama.
His son, Lewis E. Parsons Jr., also became a lawyer and served as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. His grandson, James K. Parsons, was a brave officer in the United States Army. He reached the rank of major general and received a special award, the Distinguished Service Cross, for his heroism in World War I.
