Richard Dickerson Gholson was born near Culpepper, VA about 1804. He was educated in VA and moved to KY with his parents where he studied law. He served in the Mexican War (1846-1848). As a reward to Gholson, an ardent supporter of Buchanan who stumped the state of KY for his presidential campaign, he was appointed Governor of the Washington Territory. Gholson arrived in WA in early July 1859. The most important incident during his term was the landing of U.S. troops on San Juan Island in July 1859 which created a crisis about the ownership with Great Britain. In May 1860 Gholson went to Texas where he had family. He was counted in the U.S. Census of Texas. It is thought by some that he returned to KY and never returned to WA. Some believe that Secretary of State Henry McGill may have served out his term. By 1861 he had returned to KY and due to the unrest leading up to the Civil War he moved his family to Tennessee. He passed away about 1861 in Troy, TN from injuries of a pair of run-away horses.
From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Richard D. Gholson's correspondence, 1860-1861. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 262479213
From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Richard D. Gholson's correspondence, 1860-1861 [electronic resource]. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 610066517
