History of Monticello, (Wayne County) Kentucky United States of America

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Shelby Moore Cullom, senator, was born in Monticello, Ky., Nov. 22, 1829; son of Richard Northcraft and Elizabeth (Coffey) Cullom. His father was a farmer, legislator and statesman and in 1830 removed to Tazewell county, Ill., where Shelby was brought up on the farm and inured to manual labor. He spent two years at Rock River seminary, Mount Morris, Ill., paying his tuition by teaching school. He located in Springfield, Ill., in 1853, studied law, and in 1855 was admitted to the bar, establishing himself at Springfield where he was elected city attorney. In 1856 he was presidential elector and the same year was elected to the Illinois house of representatives. In 1860 he was again elected a state representative and was chosen speaker in 1861. In 1862 President Lincoln appointed him a commissioner with George S. Boutwell and Charles A. Dana to pass upon the accounts of the U.S. quartermastermasters and commissary officers. He was a representative in the 39th, 40th and 41st congresses, 1865-71, and in his last term was chairman of the committee on territories, taking a prominent part in national legislation. In 1872 he was chairman of the Illinois delegation at the Republican national convention at Philadelphia and placed General Grant in nomination for the presidency. He was again a state representative in 1873 and 1874 and was speaker of the house in 1873. In 1876 he was elected governor of Illinois and was re-elected in 1880. In 1884 he was again chosen chairman of the Illinois delegation at the Republican national convention, at Chicago. In 1883 the legislature of the state elected him U.S. senator, re-electing him in 1889, 1895 and 1901. In 1892 he was a third time chosen chairman of the Illinois delegation to the Republican national convention, at Minneapolis. In the senate he was chairman of the committee on interstate commerce, a member of the committees on appropriations, census, foreign relations and additional accommodations for the library of congress and also a regent of the Smithsonian institution. He was married Dec. 12, 1855, to Hanna M. Fisher, who died in March, 1861, and on May 5, 1863, he was married to Julia Fisher.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Monticello, (Wayne County) Kentucky

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