Samuel Hitt Elbert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Hitt Elbert
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 6th Governor of the Territory of Colorado | |
| In office 1873–1874 |
|
| Preceded by | Edward M. McCook |
| Succeeded by | Edward M. McCook |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 3, 1833 Logan County, Ohio |
| Died | November 27, 1899 (aged 66) Galveston, Texas |
| Political party | Republican |
| Signature |  |
Samuel Hitt Elbert (born April 3, 1833 – died November 27, 1899) was an important figure in early Colorado history. He worked as a lawyer in the Nebraska Territory before moving to the Colorado Territory. From 1873 to 1874, he served as the Governor of the Colorado Territory. Later, he became a judge on the Colorado Supreme Court, even serving as its chief judge.
Samuel Elbert was married to Josephine Evans. She was the daughter of another Colorado leader, Governor John Evans. Sadly, Josephine died young from tuberculosis after her baby passed away. Her father built the Evans Memorial Chapel to remember her.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Samuel Hitt Elbert was born in Logan County, Ohio. His family moved to the Iowa Territory in 1840. He went to public school, where he also learned about farming.
He later studied at Ohio Wesleyan University. He graduated in 1854. After college, he studied law for two years in Dayton, Ohio. In 1856, he became a lawyer in Ohio. The next year, he moved to Plattsmouth, Nebraska to start his law practice.
A Career in Politics
In Nebraska, Elbert joined the new Republican Party. He went to the Republican National Convention in 1860. There, he met Abraham Lincoln, who became president. He also met John Evans, who would become a key person in Colorado.
In 1862, President Lincoln appointed Elbert as the Secretary of the Colorado Territory. He sometimes filled in for Governor Evans. He worked as Secretary until 1867. During this time, he helped manage issues between settlers and Native Americans. He also helped organize Colorado's soldiers for the American Civil War.
Elbert became a leader in the Republican Party in Colorado. He was elected to the territorial legislature in 1869.
Governor of Colorado Territory
In 1873, President Ulysses S. Grant chose Samuel Elbert to be the sixth Governor of the Colorado Territory. President Grant even visited Governor Elbert's home that summer.
As governor, Elbert worked on important issues. He met with Ute leaders to create a treaty. This treaty, called the Brunot Treaty of 1873, opened up some Ute land for railroads and mining. He also supported new ways to water crops. He started the Western Irrigation Conference to create water laws for farming in Colorado. Elbert served as governor until 1874.
Judge and Chief Justice
Colorado became a state in 1876. That same year, Elbert was elected to the Colorado Supreme Court. He served as a judge until 1888. From 1879 to 1883, he was the chief judge of the Supreme Court. He left his position in 1888 due to poor health.
Personal Life
In June 1865, Samuel Elbert married Josephine Evans. She was 18 years old and the daughter of Territorial Governor John Evans. Their wedding was a big event, and George Armstrong Custer was the best man.
The Elberts lived in a red brick house in Denver. In 1868, Josephine gave birth to their only child, John Evans Elbert. Sadly, their baby died a few months later. Josephine, who had tuberculosis, also passed away in October 1868. Her father, John Evans, built the Evans Memorial Chapel in her memory in 1878. It is located at the University of Denver.
Samuel Elbert's health declined over time. He died on November 27, 1899, in Galveston, Texas. He is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Denver, along with Josephine and their son.
Legacy
Samuel Elbert is remembered in Colorado. Elbert County, Colorado, the town of Elbert, Colorado, and Mount Elbert are all named after him. Mount Elbert is the highest mountain in the Rocky Mountains. Miners named the mountain after him because he helped create the treaty with the Ute tribe. This treaty allowed access to millions of acres of land for mining and railroads.
See also
In Spanish: Samuel Hitt Elbert para niños
