Bingham, Kinsley S. (Kinsley Scott), 1808-1861

Michigan Democratic Congressman, 1847-1851, Republican Governor, 1855-1858, and U.S. Senator, 1859-1861.

From the description of Kinsley S. Bingham papers, 1820-1915. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34419699

From the description of Kinsley S. Bingham papers, 1820-1944 [microform] (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 81408982

From the description of Kinsley S. Bingham papers, 1820-1944. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 78696456

Lawyer and Politician

Born in Camillus, N.Y., Dec. 16, 1908; studied law in Syracuse, N.Y.; moved to Green Oak, Mich., 1833; admission to the bar & practiced; engaged in agriculture pursuits; postmaster, justice of the peace & first judge of probate of Livingston County; member of Mich. House of Represenatives, 1837-1841; member of U.S. Congress, 1847-51; Governor of Mich., 1855-1859; U.S. Senator, 1856-61; active in establishing the Michigan Agricultural College, etc; died in Green Oak, Mich., Oct. 5, 1861. (Biogr. Cong. Dir., 1928 ed.) (Blue Card Index)

From the description of Kinsley Scott Bingham correspondence, 1855-1861. (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 312429613

Kinsley Scott Bingham was born to Calvin and Betsy (Scott) Bingham in Camillus, Onondaga County, New York on December 16, 1808. Kinsley S. Bingham received a strong education in New York, including the study of law with Gen. James R. Lawrence of Syracuse. He immigrated to Michigan Territory in 1833, where he established a farm in Livingston County. He quickly became involved in local government, serving as Justice of the Peace, Postmaster, and the 1st Judge of Probate for Livingston County. He was elected to the 1st Michigan State Legislature in 1837, and was re-elected for consecutive terms from 1838-1842, also serving as Speaker of the House in 1838, 1839 and 1842. He was then elected to Congress and served in the U.S. House of Representatives (Democrat) for two terms, 1847-1851. He returned to rural life for several years as a Free Soil Democrat and holding no political office, before being elected Governor of Michigan (Republican), 1855-1858. In 1859 he served in the U.S. Senate (Republican) until his death in 1861. Throughout his political service, he remained closely involved in the management of his farm, and was committed to representing rural interests.

In 1833 he married Margaret Warden, recently arrived in New York from Scotland, and they moved to Michigan with her brother, Robert Warden and family, to establish Green Oak in Livingston County. In 1834 their only child, Kinsley W. Bingham (1838-ca. 1908), was born, and Margaret died four days later. In 1839 he married Mary Warden, younger sister of his first wife, and in 1840 their only child was born, James W. Bingham (1840-1862).

Kinsley S. Bingham died at his home in Green Oak on October 5, 1861.

From the guide to the Kinsley S. Bingham Papers [microform], 1820-1944, 1820-1870, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)