Clark Bissell
Clark Bissell (September 7, 1782 – September 15, 1857) was the 34th Governor of Connecticut. He served as an Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1829 to 1839. He had previously served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives representing Norwalk and the Connecticut Senate representing the 12th District.
Clark Bissell | |
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34th Governor of Connecticut | |
In office May 5, 1847 – May 2, 1849 | |
Lieutenant | Charles J. McCurdy |
Preceded by | Isaac Toucey |
Succeeded by | Joseph Trumbull |
Member of the Connecticut Senate from the 12th district | |
In office 1842–1844 | |
Preceded by | Joshua Ferris |
Succeeded by | Darius Mead |
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk | |
In office 1829–1830 | |
Preceded by | Benjamin Isaacs, Samuel B. Warren |
Succeeded by | Thaddeus Betts, Eli Bennett |
In office 1841–1842 Serving with Henry Selleck | |
Preceded by | Algernon Beard, Joseph W. Hubbell |
Succeeded by | Henry Selleck, Matthew Wilcox |
In office 1850–1851 Serving with Algernon Beard | |
Preceded by | Gould D. Jennings, William H. Benedict |
Succeeded by | Ebenezer Hill, Henry M. Prowitt |
Personal details | |
Born | Lebanon, Connecticut |
Died | September 15, 1857 75) | (aged
Resting place | Union Cemetery, Norwalk, Connecticut |
Political party | Whig |
Spouse(s) | Sally Sherwood Bissell |
Children | 6 |
Alma mater | Yale College |
Profession | lawyer, politician |
Early life
Bissell was born in Lebanon, Connecticut on September 7, 1782. He studied at Yale College and graduated in 1806. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1809. He married Sally Sherwood and they had six children.
Politics
Becoming a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1829, Bissell was re-elected in 1841, and served in the Connecticut Senate from 1842 to 1843. He also served as an associate judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors from 1829 to 1839.[1]
Governor of Connecticut
Bissell ran unsuccessfully for the Connecticut governorship in 1846. However, he was elected in 1847 as Governor of Connecticut and was re-elected in 1848. During his term, he advocated for reform in education, taxes, and liquor prohibition, however, only insignificant legislation was passed. He vetoed a resolution on divorce, and it was looked upon as sabotaging the legislature's power. Because of this, he was not renominated for the 1849 election.[2]
After completing his term as the Governor, Bissell continued as a Professor of Law at Yale University, a position he was appointed to during his governorship. He also served in the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1850.
Death
Bissell died on September 15, 1857. He is interred at Norwalk Union Cemetery, Norwalk, Connecticut.[3]
References
- "Clark Bissell". National Governors Association. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- "Clark Bissell". National Governors Association. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- "Clark Bissell". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
External links
- Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2
- The Political Graveyard
- National Governors Association
- Clark Bissell at Find a Grave
Party political offices | ||
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Preceded by Roger Sherman Baldwin |
Whig nominee for Governor of Connecticut 1846, 1847, 1848 |
Succeeded by Joseph Trumbull |
Preceded by Benjamin Isaacs Samuel B. Warren |
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk 1829–1830 With: Charles W. Taylor |
Succeeded by Thaddeus Betts Eli Bennett |
Preceded by Algernon Beard Joseph W. Hubbell |
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk 1841–1842 With: Henry Selleck |
Succeeded by Henry Selleck Matthew Wilcox |
Preceded by Joshua Ferris |
Member of the Connecticut Senate from the 12th district 1842–1844 |
Succeeded by Darius Mead |
Preceded by Isaac Toucey |
List of Governors of Connecticut 1847–1849 |
Succeeded by Joseph Trumbull |
Preceded by Gould D. Jennings William H. Benedict |
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk 1850–1851 With: Algernon Beard |
Succeeded by Ebenezer Hill Henry M. Prowitt |