Salomon, Edward S. (Edward Selig), 1836-1913

Edward Selig Salomon (December 25, 1836 – July 18, 1913) was a Prussian-born American politician, attorney, and lawyer. A member of the Republican Party, he notably served as the youngest alderman on the Chicago City Council from 1861 to 1863 and as Governor of Washington Territory from 1870 to 1872.

Born in the Prussian duchy of Schleswig, he emigrated to Illinois in 1856; five years later, he was elected alderman of Chicago's sixth ward, the youngest in Chicago history. In July 1861, Salomon was commissioned as a first lieutenant in Colonel Friedrich Hecker's 24th Illinois Infantry Regiment. Disagreements arose between Hecker and some of his officers, after which Hecker and his supporters resigned, including Salomon. Salomon became a civilian again from December 1861 to September 1862. In August 1862, Hecker formed a new regiment, the 82nd Illinois Infantry. Salomon joined and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel on September 26, 1862. At the Battle of Gettysburg, Salomon became a hero. Early in 1864, Hecker resigned, leaving Salomon in permanent command of the regiment, although still as a lieutenant colonel. Salomon led the regiment during the Atlanta Campaign and through the capture of Atlanta. Assigned to deliver messages to Nashville, he missed the famous march to the sea. In December 1864, he rejoined the regiment and finished out the war with them. On March 13, 1865, Salomon received a promotion to brigadier general on for his "distinguished gallantry and meritorious service."

After the war, Salomon returned to Chicago where he was elected Cook County Clerk as a Republican in the fall of 1865, serving until November 1869. On March 4, 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Salomon governor of Washington Territory. He was caught up in the political scandals of the Grant administration and resigned in 1872. Salomon next moved to San Francisco, where he practiced law. He was elected to the California state assembly in 1888. Ten years later, Salomon was appointed assistant district attorney for the city and county. Salomon died in San Francisco and is buried in Salem Memorial Cemetery in Colma, California.