1. Thomas Carlin became the first Democrat nominated at an Illinois state convention, as well as the last Illinois governor who fought Native Americans.
19 Facts About Thomas Carlin
1. 2.
Thomas Carlin's father died in 1810, leaving his widow to raise seven children.
3.
In 1812, Carlin crossed the Missouri River to Illinois Territory to serve as a mounted ranger in the War of 1812, then established a farm in what was then Madison County, Illinois.
4.
In 1814, in Edwardsville, Thomas Carlin married Georgia-born Rebecca Huitt.
5.
In 1850, the Thomas Carlin family included his 90-year-old mother-in-law, three sons and two daughters as well as a 21 year old farm laborer, but no slaves.
6.
Thomas Carlin built a log cabin across from the mouth of the Missouri River and operated a ferry until 1818, when Illinois became a state.
7.
Between 1819 and 1821, Thomas Carlin helped organize the frontier in what became Greene County, Illinois.
8.
Thomas Carlin was one of the first five commissioners and donated a large parcel of land for Carrollton, although he abstained from the vote designating it the county seat.
9.
Thomas Carlin was instrumental in obtaining passage of a bill in January 1829 creating Macoupin County.
10.
In 1834 he received an appointment as collector of federal funds at the land office at Quincy, Illinois, where Thomas Carlin would continue to live during his gubernatorial term.
11.
Thomas Carlin opposed monopolies and wanted the state to own and operate all railroads.
12.
Thomas Carlin appointed former governor John Reynolds to try to sell bonds in Europe, since the Illinois and Michigan Canal from Chicago to the Illinois River required at least $1 million in financing.
13.
One of the parties to a contract, Wright and Company went bankrupt while Governor Thomas Carlin vacillated on approving the contract.
14.
Legislators wanted the state to purchase an additional $3 million in bank stock, arguing that its dividends would fund the internal improvements, but Thomas Carlin warned it would not work, and the Senate Committee on Banks defeated the proposal.
15.
Thomas Carlin signed a charter which gave Smith and his associates governmental power in Nauvoo, Illinois.
16.
Later, Thomas Carlin received Missouri warrants requesting Smith's extradition to Missouri, and Smith was arrested not long after leaving the governor's home.
17.
Two years later, Thomas Carlin threatened to run again against Douglas, but ultimately chose against it.
18.
In 1849, Thomas Carlin served an unexpired term in the Illinois House of Representatives when Jacob Fry resigned.
19.
Thomas Carlin died in 1852 at home in Carrollton, Illinois, survived by his widow and seven of their children.