The Boy Governor Stevens T Mason and the Birth of Michigan Politics In Stevens T Mason was named Secretary of the Michigan Territory at the tender age of two years before he could even vote The youngest presidential appointee in American history Mason quick
In 1831, Stevens T Mason was named Secretary of the Michigan Territory at the tender age of 19, two years before he could even vote The youngest presidential appointee in American history, Mason quickly stamped his persona on Michigan life in large letters After championing the territory s successful push for statehood without congressional authorization, he would defenIn 1831, Stevens T Mason was named Secretary of the Michigan Territory at the tender age of 19, two years before he could even vote The youngest presidential appointee in American history, Mason quickly stamped his persona on Michigan life in large letters After championing the territory s successful push for statehood without congressional authorization, he would defend his new state s border in open defiance of the country s political elite and then orchestrate its expansion through the annexation of the Upper Peninsula all before his official election as Michigan s first governor at age 24, the youngest chief executive in any state s history.The Boy Governor tells the complete story of this dominant political figure in Michigan s early development Capturing Mason s youthful idealism and visionary accomplishments, including his advocacy for a strong state university and legislating for the creation of the Soo Locks, this biography renders a vivid portrait of Michigan s first governor his conflicts, his desires, and his sense of patriotism This book will appeal to anyone with a love of American history and interest in the many, larger than life personalities that battled on the political stage during the Jacksonian era.
One of the most interesting history books I've read in years. It may help that I grew up in Michigan and so had bits and pieces of this history floating around in the back of my mind, but never had I had it laid out in a fashion that brought our first governor to life so well. Much of what I found in this book is certainly not what we were taught in school (then again, what is?). And for those of my friends from Ann Arbor, this is whom Mason Hall is named after.
Really enjoyed reading about Michigan's early history - the Toledo "War", the battle for statehood, canals, the Patriot War. There were parts that were repetitive, but overall, I learned new "stuff", so it was worth the read.
A very positive book on Mason. i do want to read Faber's book on the Toledo War. A distant ancestor was Governor of Ohio during it.