Clark Bissell

Clark Bissell
34th Governor of Connecticut
In office
May 5, 1847  May 2, 1849
Lieutenant Charles J. McCurdy
Preceded by Isaac Toucey
Succeeded by Joseph Trumbull
Member of the Connecticut Senate
from the 12th district
In office
1842–1844
Preceded by Joshua Ferris
Succeeded by Darius Mead
Member of the
Connecticut House of Representatives
from Norwalk
In office
1829–1830
Serving with Charles Wiley Taylor
Preceded by Benjamin Isaacs,
Samuel B. Warren
Succeeded by Thaddeus Betts,
Eli Bennett
In office
1841–1842
Serving with Henry Selleck
Preceded by Algernon Beard,
Joseph W. Hubbell
Succeeded by Henry Selleck,
Matthew Wilcox
In office
1850–1851
Serving with Algernon Beard
Preceded by Gould D. Jennings,
William H. Benedict
Succeeded by Ebenezer Hill,
Henry M. Prowitt
Personal details
Born Lebanon, Connecticut
Died September 15, 1857(1857-09-15) (aged 75)
Resting place Union Cemetery
Norwalk, Connecticut
Political party Whig
Spouse(s) Sally Sherwood Bissell
Children Samuel Burr Sherwood Bissell (1812 - 1894), Edward C Bissell (1822 - 1891), George A Bissell (1825 - 1860), Mary Elizabeth Bissell Betts (1827 - 1907), Charlotte Charity Bissell Ferry (1828 - 1915), Arthur Henry Bissell (1831 - 1831)
Alma mater Yale College (1806)
Profession lawyer, politician

Clark Bissell (September 7, 1782 – September 15, 1857) was the 34th Governor of Connecticut. He served as an Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1829 to 1839. He had previously served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives representing Norwalk and the Connecticut Senate representing the 12th District.

Early life

Bissell was born in Lebanon, Connecticut on September 7, 1782. He studied at Yale College and graduated in 1806. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1809. He married Sally Sherwood and they had six children; Samuel Burr Sherwood Bissell (1812 - 1894), Edward C Bissell (1822 - 1891), George A Bissell (1825 - 1860), Mary Elizabeth Bissell Betts (1827 - 1907), Charlotte Charity Bissell Ferry (1828 - 1915), Arthur Henry Bissell (1831 - 1831).[1]

Politics

Becoming a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1829, Bissell was re-elected in 1841, and served in the Connecticut Senate from 1842 to 1843. He also served as an associate judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors from 1829 to 1839.[2]

Governor of Connecticut

Bissell ran unsuccessfully for the Connecticut governorship in 1846. However, he was elected in 1847 as Governor of Connecticut and was re-elected in 1848. During his term, he advocated for reform in education, taxes, and liquor prohibition, however, only insignificant legislation was passed. He vetoed a resolution on divorce, and it was looked upon as sabotaging the legislature's power. Because of this, he was not renominated for the 1849 election.[3]

After completing his term as the Governor, Bissell continued as a Professor of Law at Yale University, a position he was appointed to during his governorship. He also served in the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1850.

Death

Bissell died on September 15, 1857 (age 75 years, 8 days). He is interred at Norwalk Union Cemetery, Norwalk, Connecticut.[4]

References

  1. "Clark Bissell". Find A Grave. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  2. "Clark Bissell". National Governors Association. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  3. "Clark Bissell". National Governors Association. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  4. "Clark Bissell". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Clark Bissell.
Preceded by
Benjamin Isaacs
Samuel B. Warren
Member of the
Connecticut House of Representatives
from Norwalk

1829–1830
With: Charles W. Taylor
Succeeded by
Thaddeus Betts
Eli Bennett
Preceded by
Algernon Beard
Joseph W. Hubbell
Member of the
Connecticut House of Representatives
from Norwalk

1841–1842
With: Henry Selleck
Succeeded by
Henry Selleck
Matthew Wilcox
Preceded by
Joshua Ferris
Member of the Connecticut Senate
from the 12th district

1842–1844
Succeeded by
Darius Mead
Preceded by
Isaac Toucey
List of Governors of Connecticut
1847–1849
Succeeded by
Joseph Trumbull
Preceded by
Gould D. Jennings
William H. Benedict
Member of the
Connecticut House of Representatives
from Norwalk

1850–1851
With: Algernon Beard
Succeeded by
Ebenezer Hill
Henry M. Prowitt
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