Biography

Born in NH and attended Exeter Academy. Move with his parents to Wilmington, DE in 1799. He moved to the Northwest Territory in 1801 and settled on a farm in Ohio. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1802. He was a member of the Ohio State House of Representatives in 1806. He was the US Marshal for the district of Ohio from 1807 to 1812, but resigned to enlist in the army. He was military and civil Governor of Michigan Territory from 1813 to 1831 and settled in Detroit. He was appointed Secretary of War by President Jackson, serving from 1831 to 1836. He resigned and assigned as the Diplomat to France from 1836 to 1842. He was elected as a Democrat to the US Senate, serving from 1845 to 1848, but resigned when he was nominated for President (unsuccessful candidate). Reelected to US Senate to fill the seat he left during his campaign period. Appointed as Secretary of State by Presient Buchanan and served from 1857 until his resignation in 1860, returning to Detroit.