Seldon Connor

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Seldon Connor
Born January 25, 1839
Maine, Flag of the United States USA
Died July 9, 1917
Occupation Former politician
Known for Thirty-fifth governor of Maine, USA

Seldon Connor (January 25, 1839 in Fairfield, Maine, USA — July 9, 1917) was the thirty-fifth governor of the US state of Maine. He was born in Fairfield, Me. and in 1859 graduated at Tufts College, as well as studying law in Vermont. While attending Tufts University, he was a member of the Zeta Psi Fraternity. In May, 1961, Connor entered the Federal services as a private in the First Vermont Volunteers, but became ill with chronic catarrh, recovering the following winter. Connor later joined the Nineteenth Maine Volunteers, and was severely wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness. He served as the lieutenant colonel of the 7th Maine regiment throughout the Civil War from August, 1861, rising to the rank of colonel in January, 1864. He was commissioned brigadier general of volunteers, but in 1866 was mustered out of service.

After the war, Connor began involvement in political issues in 1868, becoming as the assessor of the Internal Revenue, as well as serving as the collector of Internal revenue in 1874. In 1875, Connor was a candidate for the Republican gubernatorial, to which his nomination was successful, moving onwards to win the General Election. During his time in politics, Connor he advocated civil service reform, and supported the resumption of specie payments. Connor was also responsible for promoting a free public school system, of which was successful. Connor resigned from office on January 08, 1879 - after failing a reelection. Subsequently, he was United States pension agent 1882-86, in 1890 became president of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, in 1896-99 was senior vice commander in chief of the Order of the Loyal Legion, and in 1897 was again appointed pension agent. His address on Hannibal Hamlin was published in 1909. Connor remained a prominent figure in politics, also serving as president of the Northern Banking Company. Connor is buried in Augusta, Maine.

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