Richard J. Oglesby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard James Oglesby
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c. 1875
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| 14th Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 16, 1865 – January 11, 1869 |
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| Lieutenant | William Bross |
| Preceded by | Richard Yates |
| Succeeded by | John M. Palmer |
| In office January 13, 1873 – January 23, 1873 |
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| Lieutenant | John Lourie Beveridge |
| Preceded by | John M. Palmer |
| Succeeded by | John Lourie Beveridge |
| In office January 30, 1885 – January 14, 1889 |
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| Lieutenant | John Smith |
| Preceded by | John Marshall Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | Joseph W. Fifer |
| United States Senator from Illinois |
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| In office March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1879 |
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| Preceded by | Lyman Trumbull |
| Succeeded by | John A. Logan |
| Member of the Illinois Senate | |
| In office 1860 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | July 25, 1824 Oldham County, Kentucky |
| Died | April 24, 1899 (aged 74) Elkhart, Illinois |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | University of Louisville |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1847 1861–1864 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War, American Civil War |
Richard James Oglesby (born July 25, 1824, died April 24, 1899) was an American soldier and politician from Illinois. He was a member of the Republican Party.
He fought in the Mexican–American War (1846-1847). After the war, he looked for gold during the California Gold Rush. He was also elected to the Illinois state government.
During the American Civil War, Oglesby joined the Union Army. He became a major general. He left the army when he was elected Governor of Illinois in 1864. He served as governor three times. He was also a U.S. Senator for Illinois from 1873 to 1879.
The town of Oglesby, Illinois is named after him.
Contents
Early Life and Adventures
Oglesby was born in Floydsburg, Oldham County, Kentucky. He became an orphan and moved to live with his uncle. This was in Decatur, Illinois, in 1832.
He worked many jobs there. He was a farmhand, a ropemaker, and a carpenter.
Fighting in the Mexican-American War
When the Mexican–American War began, Oglesby joined the army. He was a First Lieutenant in the 4th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He fought in important battles like Veracruz and Cerro Gordo.
His regiment almost captured the Mexican President, General Santa Anna. They ended up taking his cork leg, carriage, and $20,000 in gold!
He might have played in one of the first baseball games outside the U.S. This happened in April 1847. They used the wooden leg captured from General Santa Anna as a prop. He left the army in May 1847.
Life Before the Civil War
In 1848, Oglesby studied law at Louisville Law School. But in 1849, he went to California for the California Gold Rush. He tried his luck at gold mining.
After two years of traveling in Europe, he came back to Illinois in 1851. He joined the Republican Party when it was formed. In 1858, he tried to become a member of the U.S. Congress but did not win.
In 1860, he was elected to the Illinois Senate. In 1859, Oglesby married Anna White from Decatur. They had four children: Richard, Elizabeth, Robert, and Olive.
Serving in the Civil War
When the Civil War started, Oglesby became a colonel. He led the 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was soon put in charge of a brigade under General Ulysses S. Grant.
His soldiers liked him a lot and called him "Uncle Dick." He led his brigade in battles like Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. He was promoted to brigadier general in March 1862.
He commanded a brigade during the Siege of Corinth. In October 1862, he was badly wounded. He was shot in his chest and back at the Battle of Corinth.
Oglesby was promoted to major general in November 1862. After he recovered, he led a part of the XVI Corps. This was in western Tennessee and northern Mississippi. He left the army in May 1864 to run for governor.
He was in the room at the Petersen House when President Abraham Lincoln died. This was on April 15, 1865.
Leading Illinois
Oglesby was elected Governor of Illinois by a large number of votes. He served from 1865 to 1869. As governor, he worked to improve care for people with mental illnesses. He also helped other groups of disabled citizens. He signed laws to expand the state hospital system.
After his first term, he worked as a lawyer. In 1872, he ran for governor again. He had a plan to become a U.S. Senator. He would become governor, then immediately give the job to the lieutenant governor. This would allow him to become a Senator.
He served as a Senator from 1873 to 1879. In 1884, he was elected governor for a third time. He was the first person in Illinois history to serve three times as governor.
After his third term, he tried to be reelected to the Senate but did not win. He spent his last years retired at his "Oglehurst" home in Elkhart, Illinois. He is buried there in Elkhart Cemetery. There is a statue of Richard J. Oglesby in Lincoln Park, Chicago.
His son, John G. Oglesby, served as Lieutenant Governor of Illinois two times.
