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Seldon Connor
SeldonConnor.jpg
35th Governor of Maine
In office
January 5, 1876 – January 8, 1879
Preceded by Nelson Dingley Jr.
Succeeded by Alonzo Garcelon
Personal details
Born (1839-01-25)January 25, 1839
Fairfield, Maine, U.S.
Died July 9, 1917(1917-07-09) (aged 78)
Augusta, Maine, U.S.
Resting place Forest Grove Cemetery, Augusta, Maine
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Branch/service United States Army
Union Army
Years of service 1861–1866
Rank Union Army brigadier general rank insignia.svg Brigadier General
Unit 1st Vermont Infantry
7th Maine Infantry
Commands 19th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars American Civil War

Seldon Connor (born January 25, 1839 – died July 9, 1917) was an American soldier, banker, and politician. He served as the 35th Governor of Maine.

About Seldon Connor

Early Life and Education

Seldon Connor was born in Fairfield, Maine. He went to Tufts College and graduated in 1859. He also studied law in Vermont. While at Tufts, he was part of the Zeta Psi Fraternity.

Military Service in the Civil War

When the American Civil War began, Seldon Connor joined the army in May 1861. He started as a private in the 1st Vermont Infantry. He became ill but recovered. In August 1861, he was made a lieutenant colonel in the 7th Maine Infantry.

Connor became a colonel of the 19th Maine Infantry in January 1864. He was badly hurt in the Battle of the Wilderness. On June 11, 1864, he was promoted to Brigadier General. Because of his injuries, General Connor could not fight in battles anymore. He left the army in 1866.

Union Army brigadier general rank insignia
A brigadier general's rank insignia

Political Career in Maine

After the war, Connor became involved in politics in 1868. He worked for the Internal Revenue Service, collecting taxes. In 1875, he was elected Governor of Maine as a Republican.

As governor, Connor supported changes to how government jobs were given out. He also worked to improve the public school system in Maine. He was successful in making public schools better for everyone. Connor left office on January 8, 1879, after not winning reelection.

Later Life and Activities

After being governor, Connor continued to serve the public. From 1882 to 1886, he was a United States pension agent. This meant he helped soldiers get their pensions.

He was very active in groups for military veterans. In 1890, he became president of the Society of the Army of the Potomac. He also served as a senior leader in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. In 1897, he was again appointed as a pension agent.

Seldon Connor also worked in banking. He was president of the Northern Banking Company. He remained an important person in Maine politics until his death.

Seldon Connor is buried in Augusta, Maine.

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