People

Jackson, Claiborne Fox

Emigrating from Kentucky, Jackson and his father entered business earning enough money to retire. He served as a captain in the Black Hawk War then was elected to the state legislature where he served twelve years including one term as Speaker. Elected to the state senate in 1848-1849 he assumed strong proslavery positions. In 1860 Jackson was elected Governor. When the Civil War commenced he attempted to get the legislature to vote an article of secession, but failed to convince the lawmakers. In September 1861 Union forces in St. Louis forced him from the Governor’s mansion in Jefferson City. Before Jackson fled he called for the creation of a 50,000-man army entitled the Missouri State Guard. Jackson created a pro-Confederate government in exile. In 1862 he died in Little Rock due to stomach cancer. (Photo courtesy of University of Missouri Press)

Email this Article