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WILLIAM A. JAYNE

William A. Janyne First Territorial Governor

  • Residence: Springfield, Illinois
  • Years Served: 1861-1863
  • Date of Inauguration: May 27, 1861
  • Age at Inauguration: 34
  • Politics: Republican (former Whig)
  • Born: Springfield, Illinois - October 8, 1826
  • Died: Springfield, Illinois - March 21, 1916

Political Background:

  • 1859-1861: Mayor of Springfield, Illinois
  • 1860: Illinois State Senate
  • 1861-1863: Governor of Dakota Territory
  • 1863-1864: United States House of Representatives (Illinois)
  • 1865-1880: Mayor of Springfield, Illinois

William A. Jayne was a medical doctor and served as Abraham Lincoln's personal physician in Springfield, Illinois. He also served as mayor of Springfield from 1859 to 1861. He became a member of the Illinois State Senate in 1860, and resigned in 1861 to accept the appointment of governor of Dakota Territory from President Lincoln.

First Territorial capitol
First Territorial capitol in present-day Yankton, South Dakota.

After resigning as territorial governor, Dr. Jayne returned to Illinois, serving as a congressional representative for a year. He returned to his medical practice in Springfield and served three more terms as mayor of that city.

Present-day Yankton, South Dakota, served as the first capitol of Dakota Territory. The first governor's residence was a small log cabin.

Governor Jayne was from Illinois. He served as President Lincoln's personal physician.

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