Alexander H. Holley

Alexander Hamilton Holley (August 12, 1804 – October 2, 1887) was an American politician and the 40th governor of Connecticut.

Alexander Hamilton Holley
40th Governor of Connecticut
In office May 6, 1857 – May 5, 1858
Lieutenant	Alfred A. Burnham
Preceded by	William T. Minor
Succeeded by	William A. Buckingham
45th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut
In office May 3, 1854 – May 2, 1855
Governor	Henry Dutton
Preceded by	Vacant
Succeeded by	William Field
Personal details
Born	August 12, 1804 Salisbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	October 2, 1887 (aged 83) Lakeville, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	Whig, Republican
Spouse(s)	Jane M. Lyman, Marcia Coffing and Sarah C. Day
Children	6, including Alexander Lyman Holley
Profession	Manufacturer, banker, and politician

Life and politics

Holley was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, on August 12, 1804. He was a Congregationalist and studied at the public schools in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. He was married to Jane M. Lyman (1808–1832), Marcia Coffing and Sarah C. Day. He had six children.[1]

Career

Holley served in the state militia, rising through the ranks to lieutenant colonel. He entered politics in 1844, serving as a delegate to the Whig National Convention. Holley became president of the Holley Manufacturing Company in 1854 and held that position for life. He also became director of the Salisbury Iron Bank and Connecticut Western Railroad.

Holley was nominated by the Republican Party and elected the 45th lieutenant governor of Connecticut in 1854, and elected the governor of Connecticut in 1857. During his term, his administration endorsed the requirement for recently naturalized citizens to wait one year before being eligible to vote, and the Supreme Court ruled on the Dred Scott case.[1] He left office on May 5, 1858. He was a delegate to Republican National Convention from Connecticut, 1860,[2] and retired from public service.

Death

Holley died on October 2, 1887, in Lakeville. He is buried at Salisbury Cemetery, Salisbury, Connecticut.

References

1. "Alexander H. Holley". National Governors Association. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
2. "Alexander H. Holley". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 4 December 2012.

Further reading

• Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2

External links

• National Governors Association
• Alexander H. Holley at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard