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Higher Office(s) Served: Senator

WILLIAM HENDRICKS, Indiana's third governor, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on November 12, 1782. His early education was attained in the common schools in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1810, he graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, and then went on to study law in Ohio. After moving to Madison, Indiana Territory in 1812, Hendricks established a legal career, and also published the Western Eagle newspaper. He entered politics in 1814, serving as a member and speaker of the Indiana Territorial House of Representatives. In 1816, he served as secretary of the first Indiana Constitutional Convention, and in August of that same year, he became the first elected state representative to Congress, an office he held for six consecutive years. Hendricks won election to the Indiana governorship on August 5, 1822, and was sworn into office on December 5, 1822. During his tenure, educational advancements were endorsed, public enterprises were initiated, the capital was moved from Corydon to Indianapolis, and the population increased significantly with an influx of new settlers. Hendricks resigned from the governor's office on February 12, 1825, upon his election to the U.S. Senate. After serving twelve years in the senate, Hendricks retired from public service and returned to his law practice in Madison. Governor William Hendricks died on May 16, 1850, and was buried at the Fairmount Cemetery in Madison, Indiana.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 1, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

Indiana Historical Bureau

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