David Jerome

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David Howell Jerome (November 17, 1829 – April 23, 1896) was an American politician who served as the 18th governor of Michigan from 1881 to 1883. He was the first governor born in Michigan.

Jerome was born in Detroit to Horace Jerome and Elizabeth Rose Hart Jerome. His father died in 1831, and his mother moved the family to New York before returning to Michigan in 1834 to a farm in St. Clair County. As a boy, he worked on the farm, attended St. Clair Academy, and did log hauling on the St. Clair River. In 1855 he moved to Saginaw and became an alderman. He married Lucy Peck on June 15, 1859.

During the Civil War, Jerome helped raise a regiment and served as colonel of the 23rd Michigan Infantry. He remained a strong Union supporter and was awarded as a 3rd Class member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

A Republican and merchant, Jerome served in the Michigan Senate from 1863 to 1868 (27th District 1863–1866, 26th District 1867–1868) and was chairman of the Committee on State Affairs. He was Governor Henry Crapo’s military aide (1865–1866) and president of the State Military Board (1865–1873). He was an alternate delegate to the 1868 Republican National Convention, and in 1873 he served on Michigan’s constitutional commission, chairing the Committee on Finance. He was also a member of the U.S. Board of Indian Commissioners from 1876 to 1881.

Jerome was elected the 18th Governor of Michigan on November 2, 1880, serving from January 1, 1881, to January 1, 1883. During his term, Michigan named an immigration commissioner, founded the Traverse City State Hospital for the Insane, advanced the railroad system, and established the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing. He lost re-election in 1882 to Democrat Josiah Begole, ending 28 years of Republican governors in the state.

About six years after leaving office, Jerome was appointed to the Cherokee Commission, which dealt with land for the Oklahoma Territory. He was an Episcopalian. Jerome died in Watkins Glen, New York, and is buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Saginaw, Michigan.