K BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH INSLEY SCOTT BINGHAM was born in Camillus, New York, December 16, 1808, the son of Calvin and Betsey (Scott) Bingham. Calvin Bingham was a farmer who had emigrated from Bennington, Vermont. The son's early life was also devoted to agricultural pursuits. He early obtained a good education in his native State and studied law in the office of General James R. Lawrence, of Syracuse, New York. In the spring of 1833 he married Miss Warden, who had recently arrived from Scotland, and obeying the impulse of a naturally energetic and enterprising disposition he immediately emigrated to Michigan. He purchased a new farm, in company with his brother-inlaw, Mr. Robert Warden, in Green Oak, Livingston County, where on the border of civilization, buried in the primeval forest, the late law student commenced the arduous task of preparing a future home, clearing and fencing, putting up buildings, at such a rate that the land chosen was soon reduced to a high state of cultivation. Becoming deservedly prominent, Mr. Bingham was elected to the of fice of justice of the peace, and postmaster, under the Territorial government, and was the first judge of probate in the county. He was elected to the first Michigan Legislature, was four times re-elected, and was Speaker of the House of Representatives three years. In 1846 he was elected, on the Democratic ticket, Representative in Congress. He was re-elected to Congress in 1848, during which time he strongly opposed the extension of slavery in the territories of the United States, and voted for the Wilmot Proviso. In 1854 he was nominated as the candidate of the Free Soilers for Governor. At the great mass convention at Jackson, July 6, 1854, the Whigs and Free Soilers united on a state ticket and he was placed at the head of it for Governor, as the nominee of the new Republican party, which then and there sprang into existence and received its name. Sanguine of success, he addressed the people in all parts of the State and the entire ticket was elected; he was again elected Governor in 1856 by a largely increased majority. During his administrations much important legislation was enacted. On the slavery issue, the most significant act was that popularly known as the "Personal Liberty Law," providing that all prosecuting attorneys "diligently and faithfully use all lawful means to protect and defend all persons arrested as a fugitive slave." Another act absolutely prohibited the use of county jails for the detention of persons claimed as fugitive slaves. Of social and educational importance were the prohibitory liquor law, a general law to provide for the organization of charitable societies, a general college act, an act to provide for the hold ing of teachers' institutes, an act to remit the interest on the University loan, an act establishing a House of Correction for juvenile offenders, and an act to incorporate the State Teachers' Association. Two acts mark the rise of the great lumber industry, presently to grow to gigantic proportions and for a time to make Michigan the foremost lumbering state in the Union, namely, the act "to provide for the formation of companies, for the running, booming and rafting of logs," and the act "to provide for the inspection of lumber." A number of laws were enacted bearing upon the great industrial interests of the State, relating to mining, railroads, canals, building and lighting. Many new county organizations were provided and villages incorporated. It was during Bingham's first administration that the Michigan Legislature passed, and the Governor approved, the famous "Joint Resolutions respecting slavery in the Territories of the United States" which were to be of far-reaching influence. Mr. Bingham's was a comparatively short life, of remarkable promise and public activity. Attacked with apoplexy, he died suddenly at his residence in Green Oak, October 5, 1861. |