Kirkwood, Samuel Jordan, 1813-1894

Iowa governor, Iowa and U.S. Senator, abolitionist, lawyer. Samuel Kirkwood served as a Republican state senator (1856-1859), Iowa governor (1860-1864, 1876-1877), U.S. senator (1866-1867, 1877-1881), and U.S. Secretary of the Interior (1881-1882, under President Garfield). He also served as president of the Iowa and Southwestern Railroad Company and the Iowa City National Bank.

From the description of Papers, 1841-1894. (State Historical Society of Iowa, Library). WorldCat record id: 52084555

Governor of Iowa (1876-1877) resigned to become U.S. Senator (1877-1881); appointed Secretary of the Interior in cabinet of President James Garfield (1881).

From the description of Letters, 1859-1890. (University of Iowa Libraries). WorldCat record id: 148549521

Samuel J. Kirkwood moved to Iowa City in 1855 and in 1856 served as a delegate at the founding convention of the Iowa Republican Party. In 1856 he was elected to the State Senate and served two terms. In 1860 he was elected governor of Iowa, serving two terms. Kirkwood led Iowa during the Civil War and organized the recruitment of 60,000 Iowa troops. In 1866 he was elected to fill a two year vacancy in the U.S. Senate. Reelected governor in 1875 he served until sent back to the Senate in 1877. He also served as President Garfield's Secretary of the Interior, 1881-1882. After Garfield's assassination Kirkwood retired to private life.

From the description of Kirkwood, Samuel J. papers, 1843-1915. (Iowa Sate Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 50158946

United States Secretary of the Interior. Senator and governor of Iowa.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Des Moines, to an unidentified major, 1861 Dec. 6. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270487050

United States Secretary of the Interior. Senator and Governor of Iowa.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Washington, to the Attorney General, 1879 Dec. 9. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270491545