William Harrison Bissell

Independent Democrat Representative of Illinois's 8th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

April 25, 1811 (48 years old)

Birthday

March 18, 1860

Death

Served as the 11th Governor of Illinois from 1857 until his death in 1860.
Was one of the first successful Republican Party candidates, winning the gubernatorial election of 1856.
First Republican governor of Illinois, first Catholic governor of the state, and the first to die in office.
Originally from Hartwick, New York, and moved to Monroe County, Illinois, in 1837 where he practiced medicine and taught school.
Served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1840 to 1842.
Became a prosecuting attorney of St. Clair County in 1844.
Served in the Mexican War as a colonel, where he likely contracted syphilis.
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1849 to 1855.
Known for his anti-slavery convictions and had a notable conflict with Jefferson Davis over a speech, leading to a challenged duel that never occurred.
His acceptance of a duel challenge technically disqualified him from holding state office in Illinois due to a constitutional clause against dueling, but he navigated this issue during his gubernatorial campaign.
Conducted all official business as governor from the Executive Mansion due to partial paralysis.
Approved and then rescinded the exchange of Macalister-Stebbins bonds, avoiding financial loss to the state but impacting his reputation.
Died in office from pneumonia and was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Married twice, with his second wife being Elizabeth Kane, the daughter of a former U.S. Senator.