Caleb Lyon

Caleb Lyon (December 7, 1822 – September 8, 1875) was Governor of Idaho Territory from 1864 to 1865 during the last half of the American Civil War.

Caleb Lyon
2nd Governor of Idaho Territory
In office 1864–1865
Preceded by	William H. Wallace
Succeeded by	David W. Ballard
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 23rd district
In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855
Preceded by	Leander Babcock
Succeeded by	William A. Gilbert
Personal details
Born	(1822-12-07)December 7, 1822 Greig, New York
Died	September 8, 1875(1875-09-08) (aged 52) Rossville, Staten Island, New York
Political party	Independent (1850s), Republican (1860s)

Biography

Caleb Lyon was the son of Marietta Henrietta Dupont (1788–1869) and Caleb Lyon (1761–1835). In 1841, he married Mary Ann Springsteen. They had a son Caleb (b. 1842) and a daughter Henrietta Frederica (b. 1843).

He attended and graduated from the American, Literary, and Scientific Institute (later Norwich University) Class of 1841.[1][2]

Career

In 1847 he was appointed US Consul to Shanghai, but never made it to China – instead he moved to California, and was credited as the designer of the California State Seal adopted in 1849, although the actual design was by Robert S. Garnett.[3]

Lyon was an Independent member of the New York State Assembly (Lewis Co.) in 1851. He resigned his seat on April 26, and was elected to the New York State Senate on May 27, serving during the 74th New York State Legislature's special session in June/July 1851. Lyon was elected as an Independent to the 33rd United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1853, to March 3, 1855.

Appointed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864, as Governor of Idaho Territory, Lyon proved to be extremely unpopular. One journalist wrote he was "a conceited, peculiar man, who made many enemies and misappropriated much of the public funds." During Lyon's administration, the territorial capital was moved from Lewiston to Boise, reputedly because Lyon thought it was better to have the capital in a larger city.

Lyon started a diamond-prospecting frenzy when he claimed that a prospector had found a diamond near Ruby City, Idaho. Although hundreds of men staked claims, no genuine diamonds were found as a result.[4]

In 1866, an audit showed that Lyon had embezzled $46,418 in federal funds which were intended for the Nez Perce people. He was never convicted on any charges.[5]

Later life and death

After Lyon's governorship ended, he returned to his home in Rossville, Staten Island, New York,[6] where he purchased a home known as "Ross Castle" in 1859.[7] A small collection of Lyon's papers is preserved by the Staten Island Historical Society at Historic Richmond Town in New York, along with various artifacts associated with the Lyon family.[8]

He died on September 8, 1875 and is interred at Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York USA.[9]

References

1. "LYON, Caleb - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
3. "California State Capitol Museum: Great Seal of California". Archived from the original on May 17, 2003. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
4. Dan Plazak – A Hole in the Ground with a Liar at the Top (2006) ISBN 978-0-87480-840-7
5. "Caleb Lyon". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
6. "Caleb Lyon". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
7. Roswell S. Coles, "Caleb Lyon's Trip Around the Horn," Staten Island Historian, Vol. 1, No. 4, October 1938. Published by The Staten Island Historical Society.
8. Lyon, Caleb, People Record. Collection Database, Staten Island Historical Society, New York.
9. "Caleb Lyon". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved September 13, 2012.

External links

• United States Congress. "Caleb Lyon (id: L000540)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2009-03-26
• Objects from Caleb Lyon family in the Staten Island Historical Society Online Collection Database
• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

New York State Assembly
Preceded by John Newkirk	New York State Assembly Lewis County 1851	Succeeded by Dean S. Howard
New York State Senate
Preceded by Alanson Skinner	New York State Senate 21st District 1851	Succeeded by Ashley Davenport
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Leander Babcock	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 23rd congressional district 1853–1855	Succeeded by William A. Gilbert
Political offices
Preceded by William H. Wallace	Governor of Idaho Territory 1864–1866	Succeeded by David W. Ballard