Illinois. Governor (1838-1842 : Carlin)

Thomas Carlin (1789-1852), Democratic Governor of Illinois (1838-1842), was born in Fayette Co., Ky. on July 18, 1789. His family moved to St. Louis, Mo. where Carlin assummed the family's financial support following the death of his father. Despite limited resources, Carlin managed to receive a decent education and in 1812, he moved to Illinois. He served in the War of 1812, participating in Gov. Edwards' Lake Peoria expedition (1812) and General Howard's defense of the region between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers (1813). After the war (1814), Carlin married Rebecca Huitt at Edwardsville and they settled in Green Co., Ill., where Carrollton, the county seat was laid out on Carlin's land. Carlinville, Macoupin County's county seat was named in Carlin's honor. Carlin served as a state senator (1824-1832); as Captain of Spies in the Black Hawk War (1832); and as Register of the Land Office at Quincy (1834-1838). In 1838, Carlin was elected Governor and during his term, the state Supreme Court was reorganized. Following his term as Governor, Carlin served in the General Assembly as the Representative from Green Co. (1849-1851). He died at Carrollton on Feb. 14, 1852.

From the description of Thomas Carlin correspondence, 1838-1842. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 35745506

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