United States Governor Directory

Charles Henry Sheldon

Charles Henry Sheldon served as Governor of South Dakota.

  • Republican
  • South Dakota
  • Former
Portrait of Charles Henry SheldonSouth Dakota
Role Governor

Current assignment referenced in the congressional directory.

State South Dakota

Representing constituents across the South Dakota delegation.

Service period 1893-1897

Years of public service formally recorded.

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Biography

CHARLES HENRY SHELDON was born in Johnson, Vermont. After attending Lamoille County School, he served as a Captain in the 7 th Vermont Infantry during the Civil War. He moved west in 1882, settling first in southern Illinois and later in Dakota Territory. He became a member of the Dakota Territorial Council in 1886. The second governor of the new state of South Dakota, Sheldon served during the Panic of 1893 and the depression that followed. He died one year after leaving office.

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