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Noah Noble
Indiana

Gov. Noah Noble

  • December 7, 1831 - December 6, 1837
  • Whig
  • January 14, 1794
  • February 8, 1844
  • Virginia
  • Married Catherine Stull Van Swearington; two children
  • Militia

About

NOAH NOBLE, Indiana’s fifth governor, was born in Clarke County, Virginia, on January 14, 1794. In the early 1800’s, his family migrated to Kentucky, where young Noble was educated in the common schools. In 1816, Noble moved to Indiana, settling in Brookville, and working in the land speculation business, as well as the wool carding business. The following year, he served in the 7th Regiment of the Indiana militia as lieutenant colonel, and was promoted to colonel in 1820. Noble entered politics in 1820, serving as sheriff of Franklin County, a position he was reelected to in 1822. He also served as a member to the Indiana House of Representatives in 1824, was receiver of public money for the Indianapolis land office, serving from 1825 to 1829, and was a commissioner in 1830, which located and charted the Michigan Road project. Noble won the 1830 Whig gubernatorial nomination and was elected to the Indiana governorship on August 1, 1831. He was reelected to a second term in 1834. During his tenure, a state bank was established, the state’s school system was improved, an amended tax law was enacted, and the construction of canals and roads was initiated. After finishing his term, Noble ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1836, and 1838. From 1839 to 1840, he served on the Internal Improvement Board, and was a fund commissioner from 1841 to 1842. Governor Noah Noble died on February 8, 1844, and was buried at the Green Lawn Cemetery and reinterred at the Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Source

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.

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