11 Facts About David Jerome

David Jerome served as the 18th governor of Michigan ; he was the first governor to be born in Michigan.

David Jerome was born in Detroit to Horace and Elizabeth Rose Jerome who had emigrated to Michigan from Trumansburg, New York in 1828.

David Jerome was the last of nine children born to his father, who died on March 30,1831.

David Jerome worked for a time hauling and rafting logs down the St Clair River to Algonac.

David Jerome enthusiastically helped raise a Civil War regiment in 1862, serving as the colonel of the 23rd Michigan Infantry, and was an active Union supporter throughout his subsequent state senate service.

David Jerome was a member of the Michigan Senate from the 27th District 1863 to 1866 and from the 26th District 1867 to 1868, and was appointed Chairman of the Committee on State Affairs upon taking office.

David Jerome served as Governor Henry Crapo's military aide from 1865 to 1866, and was president of the State Military Board from 1865 to 1873.

David Jerome was an alternate delegate to the 1868 Republican National Convention, and, appointed by Governor John J Bagley, a member of the Michigan state constitutional commission in 1873 from the 8th district, and was Chairman of the Committee on Finance.

David Jerome served, as well, on the US Board of Indian Commissioners from 1876 to 1881.

On November 2,1880, Jerome was elected the 18th Governor of Michigan serving from January 1,1881, to January 1,1883, defeating Democrat Frederick M Holloway.

David Jerome was defeated for re-election in 1882, by Democrat Josiah Begole, ending a record 28-year span of Republican Governors in Michigan.