Person:Shelby Cullom (1)

Information on Shelby Cullom

From "United States Biograhical Dictionary":

HON. SHELBY M. CULLOM.

SPRINGFIELD.

The late governor of the state, and now United States senator, is a native of Kentucky, born November 22, 1829, and is the son of Richard Northcraft Cullom, and Elizabeth (Coffey) Cullom. His father's life was spent in public service. He was a member of the Illinois legislature for a number of terms, twice before the state capitol was removed to Springfield; and was a member of the senate during the first session after the removal. He was a prominent whig, and an intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln and John T. Stuart. Shelby M. received his early education in the common schools, studying during the winter months, and passing the summers in farm work. Later he spent two years at school in the Rock River Seminary, at Mount Morris, Illinois, and thus gained, in addition to his knowledge of the common branches, a fair knowledge of Greek, Latin, higher mathematics, natural philosophy, and political economy. But not being of a sufficiently robust constitution to endure the toils of farm life, he early decided to enter the legal profession, and being compelled to close his studies in school, on account of severe illness and want of. means, as soon as he recovered sufficiently he went to Springfield, intending to study law with Mr. Lincoln. As that gentleman was seldom at home he advised Mr. Cullom to enter the office of Stuart and Edwards, which he did in the fall of 1853. In July, 1854, he was obliged to discontinue his studies by reason of protracted illness, and was advised to give up the law. He had determined, however, that he would succeed, and, remaining on the farm until he had recovered his health and accumulated a little money, he returned to^pringfield, and in the spring of 1855 was admitted to the bar and elected city attorney. In 1856 he was one of the presidential electors on the Fillrnore or whig ticket, and wa.s also elected to the legislature, receiving both the whig and free-soil votes of his county. In 1860 he was again elected to the legislature, on the republican ticket, and was chosen speaker of the house. In 1862 he was a candidate for the state senate, but was defeated. In 1864 he was elected to congress, over his old preceptor, Hon. John T. Stuart, the vote of the district changing from a majority of one thousand seven hundred democratic to about that number of republican. He was again elected in 1866 by an increased majority over Doctor E. S. Fowler, and in 1868 defeated Hon. B. S. Edwards, of the firm with which he had previously studied. At the organization of this congress he was chosen as chairman of the committee on territories, in the house, and at once prepared a bill known as the Cullom bill, providing for the uprooting of Mormonism. This bill brought upon him the severe calumny of the Mormon leaders, and caused him to be burnt in effigy at Beaver City, where Lee has recently been tried for participation in the Mountain Meadow Massacre. During his service in congress he was prominently mentioned in connection with the speakership, and would undoubtedly have gained the position had he remained in congress a little longer. In 1872 he was again elected to the state legislature, and chosen speaker. He was returned in 1874, and, though unanimously nominated by the republicans for speaker, he was defeated by a combination between the democrats and independents, but was the recognized leader of the republican side of the house during the session.

He made one of the most popular speakers that Illinois has ever had, and in that class of men is included several veiy brilliant political lights. His splendid record in the house prepared the way for his nomination for the office of governor, and-his election in 1876. He was reelected, in 1880, by a greatly increased majority. In January, 1883, Governor Cullom was elected to the United States senate, and is about to enter upon a new field of intellectual labor, where his statesmanship will have a fine opportunity to test its powers.

The parents of Senator Cullom were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he is strongly attached, but with his family he attends the Presbyterian church, of which his wife is a member. He has been twice married: first, December 12, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he has two daughters; and the second time, May 5, 1863, to Julia Fisher; they have had two children, neither of whom is now living.