George A. Sheridan
Encyclopedia
George Augustus Sheridan (February 22, 1840 – October 7, 1896) was an American
politician
, most notably serving in the House of Representatives
for one term (the 43d Congress, 1873–1875)
Sheridan was born in Millbury
, Massachusetts
, and moved with his parents to Chicago
in 1858. During the Civil War, he served as a Captain in the Union Army
, resigning on October 28, 1864.
After the war, Sheridan was one of a group of Northern officials who moved in to administer the defeated Southern states (often derisively referred to by Southerners as "carpetbagger
s"). In 1866, he moved to New Orleans
, Louisiana
; there he served as brigadier general
of militia
on the staff of the appointed Republican governor of Louisiana, Henry Clay Warmoth. In 1867, Sheridan was made sheriff
of Carroll Parish, Louisiana
.
Sheridan was elected to the House in 1872, after running against P. B. S. Pinchback
, who was to become noted as the first black governor of a U.S. state. Pinchback contested Sheridan's seat, and the matter wasn't fully settled until February 1875, when the House Committee on Elections decided that Sheridan had won.
After his service in the House, he was appointed Recorder of Deeds in the District of Columbia, serving from May 17, 1878 until May 17, 1881, when he retired.
Sheridan died in the National Soldiers' Home in Virginia
, aged 56; he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, most notably serving in the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for one term (the 43d Congress, 1873–1875)
Sheridan was born in Millbury
Millbury, Massachusetts
Millbury is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 13,261 at the 2010 census. The town is part of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.-History:...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, and moved with his parents to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1858. During the Civil War, he served as a Captain in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
, resigning on October 28, 1864.
After the war, Sheridan was one of a group of Northern officials who moved in to administer the defeated Southern states (often derisively referred to by Southerners as "carpetbagger
Carpetbagger
Carpetbaggers was a pejorative term Southerners gave to Northerners who moved to the South during the Reconstruction era, between 1865 and 1877....
s"). In 1866, he moved to New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
; there he served as brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
of militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
on the staff of the appointed Republican governor of Louisiana, Henry Clay Warmoth. In 1867, Sheridan was made sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Carroll Parish, Louisiana
Carroll Parish, Louisiana
Carroll Parish is a former parish of Louisiana, formed in 1838 from part of Ouachita Parish. It was divided in 1877 into East Carroll Parish and West Carroll Parish....
.
Sheridan was elected to the House in 1872, after running against P. B. S. Pinchback
P. B. S. Pinchback
Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback was the first non-white and first person of African American descent to become governor of a U.S. state...
, who was to become noted as the first black governor of a U.S. state. Pinchback contested Sheridan's seat, and the matter wasn't fully settled until February 1875, when the House Committee on Elections decided that Sheridan had won.
After his service in the House, he was appointed Recorder of Deeds in the District of Columbia, serving from May 17, 1878 until May 17, 1881, when he retired.
Sheridan died in the National Soldiers' Home in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, aged 56; he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.