December 16, 1808

Michigan’s first Republican governor was born.

Born in New York, Kingsley S. Bingham moved to Michigan in 1833. Elected to Congress as a Democrat in 1847, Bingham opposed the extension of slavery into the western territories and was a strong candidate for governor for the newly-founded Republican Party. Bingham was elected in 1854 and re-elected two years later.

Thank you Michigan Start Pages for this glimpse into our past.  See more here.