Ten Things You Might Not Know About Illinois Governors-- Part 3: Edward Coles-- John Peter Altgeld

4. EDWARD COLES, although well-connected and educated, wasn't much of a politician. he was socially awkward anda mediocre orator. Worst of all, he spoke his mind. But, some scholars consider him Illinois' greatest governor because he prevented the state from becoming a slave state (although born in Virginia). As the second governor, in 1824, he rallied the forces to stop a legislative-ordered referendum to rewrite the constitution to allow slavery. He even used his own money to help stop it. //// Fewer than a third of Illinois' governors were born in the state-- only 13 of 41. As a matter of fact, it wasn't until WILLIAM STRATTON'S inauguration in 1953 that Illinois overtook Kentucky as birthplace of state governors. And, two governors were born overseas: JOHN PETER ALTGELD was born in Germany and SAM SHAPIRO was born in Estonia. //// NIU's Altgeld Hall Was Named After Him. --DaCoot