John M. Palmer
John McAuley Palmer (September 13, 1817 – September 25, 1900) was an American politician. He was an Illinois resident, an American Civil War general who fought for the Union, the 15th governor of Illinois, and presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party in the 1896 election on a platform to defend the gold standard, free trade, and limited government.
John Palmer | |
|---|---|
| United States Senator from Illinois | |
| In office March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1897 | |
| Preceded by | Charles B. Farwell |
| Succeeded by | William E. Mason |
| 15th Governor of Illinois | |
| In office January 11, 1869 – January 13, 1873 | |
| Lieutenant | John Dougherty |
| Preceded by | Richard J. Oglesby |
| Succeeded by | Richard J. Oglesby |
| Member of the Illinois Senate | |
| In office 1852–1855 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John McAuley Palmer September 13, 1817 Eagle Creek, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | September 25, 1900 (aged 83) Springfield, Illinois, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 1848, 1852–1856, 1872–1896) Free Soil (1848–1852) Republican (1856–1870) Liberal Republican (1870–1872) National Democratic (1896–1900) |
| Education | Shurtleff College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
|
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1866 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands | XIV Corps |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Palmer switched political parties throughout his life, starting out a Democrat. He became in turn an anti-Nebraska Democrat (an anti-slavery opponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Act), a Republican, a Liberal Republican, returned to being a Democrat, then ended as a Bourbon Democrat. He said, "I had my own views. I was not a slave of any party," and added, "I thought for myself and [have] spoken my own words on all occasions."