Ridgley C. Powers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ridgley C. Powers
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| 29th Governor of Mississippi | |
| In office November 30, 1871 – January 4, 1874 |
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| Lieutenant | Alexander K. Davis |
| Preceded by | James L. Alcorn |
| Succeeded by | Adelbert Ames |
| 7th Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi | |
| In office 1870–1871 |
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| Governor | James L. Alcorn |
| Preceded by | Office re-created |
| Succeeded by | Alexander K. Davis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ridgley Ceylon Powers
December 24, 1836 Mecca, Ohio |
| Died | November 11, 1912 (aged 75) Los Angeles, California |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan Union College |
Ridgley Ceylon Powers (born December 24, 1836 – died November 11, 1912) was an important figure in American history. He served as an officer for the Union army during the American Civil War. After the war, he became a politician in Mississippi. He was the state's Governor from 1871 to 1874.
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Early Life and Education
Ridgley Ceylon Powers was born in Mecca, Ohio, on Christmas Eve in 1836. He grew up and later went to college. He graduated from the University of Michigan. After that, he continued his studies at Union College in Schenectady, New York, finishing in 1862.
Serving in the Civil War
In 1862, during the American Civil War, Powers joined the United States Army. He started as a private, which is the lowest rank for a soldier. He quickly moved up in rank. He became a second lieutenant and then a captain in the 125th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Powers took part in some major battles. He fought in the Third Battle of Chattanooga. He also served in the Atlanta Campaign. These were important parts of the war. After these campaigns, his group returned to Tennessee. He stayed there for most of the rest of the war. When the war ended, he was a colonel. This is a high-ranking officer.
Becoming Governor of Mississippi
After the war ended in 1865, Powers moved to Noxubee County, Mississippi. He became a cotton planter, which means he owned and managed a cotton farm. Later, he worked as a sheriff in the county.
During the period known as Reconstruction, Powers became involved in state politics. He was elected the seventh lieutenant governor of Mississippi. He started this job in 1870.
The next year, the Governor, James L. Alcorn, decided to leave his position. Governor Alcorn resigned to become a U.S. Senator. Because of this, Ridgley Powers became the acting governor. He finished the rest of Governor Alcorn's term, which ended in 1874.
Later Life
Ridgley Powers passed away in Los Angeles, California, in 1912.
