Francis E. Warren

Francis Emroy Warren (June 20, 1844 – November 24, 1929) was an American politician of the Republican Party best known for his years in the United States Senate representing Wyoming and being the first Governor of Wyoming. A soldier in the Union Army during the American Civil War, he was the last veteran of that conflict to serve in the U.S. Senate.[1]

Francis E. Warren
United States senator from Wyoming
In office November 24, 1890 – March 3, 1893
Preceded by	office established
Succeeded by	Clarence D. Clark
In office March 4, 1895 – November 24, 1929
Preceded by	Joseph M. Carey
Succeeded by	Patrick J. Sullivan
1st Governor of Wyoming
In office October 11, 1890 - November 24, 1890
Preceded by	Himself as Territorial Governor
Succeeded by	Amos W. Barber
Personal details
Born	(1844-06-20)June 20, 1844 Hinsdale, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	November 24, 1929(1929-11-24) (aged 85) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Helen M. Smith (1871–1902; her death) Clara LeNaron Morgan (m. June 28, 1911–?)
Profession	Politician, farmer
Awards	Medal of Honor
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Branch/service	Union Army Massachusetts Militia
Rank	Corporal (U.S.) Captain (Massachusetts)
Unit	49th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Early life and military service

Warren was born on June 20, 1844 in Hinsdale, Berkshire County, Massachusetts and grew up attending common schools and his local Hinsdale Academy.

During the civil war, Warren served in the 49th Massachusetts Infantry as a noncommissioned officer. At the age of nineteen at the siege of Port Hudson, Warren received the Medal of Honor for battlefield gallantry. His entire platoon was destroyed by Confederate bombardment and Warren, taking a serious scalp wound, disabled the artillery. Warren later served as a captain in the Massachusetts Militia.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and Organization: Corporal, Company C, 49th Massachusetts Infantry.

Place and Date: At Port Hudson, La., May 27, 1863.

Entered Service At: Hinsdale, Mass.

Birth: Hinsdale, Mass.

Date Of Issue: September 30, 1893.

Citation:

Volunteered in response to a call, and took part in the movement that was made upon the enemy's works under a heavy fire therefrom in advance of the general assault.[2][3]

Personal life

Mrs Francis E. Warren

Francis E. Warren married Helen Smith, a woman from Massachusetts, although all of their married life until his first election to the United States Senate, in 1890, was spent in Wyoming. They had two children, a daughter, Helen Frances, and a son, Frederick Emory. Helen Warren was the wife of General John J. Pershing. Mrs. Warren was the president of church, literary and charitable societies of Cheyenne, vice-president of the Foundling Hospital, and Daughter of the American Revolution.[4]

Business and politics

Following the civil war, Warren engaged in farming and stock-raising in Massachusetts before moving to Wyoming (then part of the Territory of Dakota) in 1868. Settling in Cheyenne, Warren engaged in real estate, mercantile business, livestock raising and the establishment of Cheyenne's first lighting system, becoming quite wealthy.

Warren's political work included: member, Wyoming Territorial Senate (1873–1874, 1884–1885), serving as senate president; member, Cheyenne City Council (1873–1874); treasurer of Wyoming (1876, 1879, 1882, 1884); and Mayor of Cheyenne (1885).

In February 1885, Warren was appointed Governor of the Territory of Wyoming by President Chester A. Arthur, although he was removed by Democratic President Grover Cleveland in November 1886. He was reappointed by President Benjamin Harrison in April 1889, and served until 1890, when he was elected first Governor of Wyoming (October 11, 1890 – November 24, 1890).

Senate years and death

In November 1890, Warren resigned as governor, having been elected to the United States Senate as a Republican, serving until March 4, 1893. He then resumed his former business pursuits before returning to the senate (March 4, 1895–November 24, 1929). Warren chaired the following Senate Committees:

- Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation of Arid Lands

- Committee on Claims

- Committee on Irrigation

- Committee on Military Affairs

- Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds

- Committee on Agriculture and Forestry

- Committee on Appropriations

- Committee on Engrossed Bills

Warren died on November 24, 1929 in Washington, D.C. His funeral service was held in the United States Senate chamber. At the time of his death, he had served longer than any other US Senator.

Legacy

F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming is named after Warren. Additionally, Warren's daughter married then-Captain John J. Pershing in 1905. Several years later, President Theodore Roosevelt promoted Pershing from captain to brigadier general over 900 senior officers. Pershing's wife and three daughters were later killed during a fire at the Presidio in San Francisco. Warren was also the first senator to hire a female staffer and, as appropriations chairman during World War I, he was instrumental in funding the American efforts. Warren and his second wife, Clara LaBarron Morgan, bought the Nagle Warren Mansion in April 1910, and their dining room hosted people such as Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.[5][6] This mansion is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[7] In 1958, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.[8]

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients
• List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: T–Z
• National Irrigation Congress
• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1900–49)

References

1. "United States Senate - Last Union Veteran". Retrieved June 4, 2013.
2. ""Civil War Medal of Honor citations" (S-Z): WARREN, FRANCIS E." AmericanCivilWar.com. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
3. "Medal of Honor website" (M-Z): WARREN, FRANCIS E." United States Army Center of Military History. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
4. Hinman, Ida (1895). The Washington Sketch Book.
5. "Nagle Warren Mansion Cheyenne, Wyoming". Historic Hotels. Archived from the original on December 4, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
6. "Nagle Warren Mansion Hotel". Wyoming Tourism. Archived from the original on November 4, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
7. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
8. "Hall of Great Westerners". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved November 22, 2019.

External links

• United States Congress. "Francis E. Warren (id: W000164)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-02-01
• "Political Graveyard". Retrieved September 29, 2010.
• "Francis E. Warren". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved February 1, 2008.

Party political offices
First	Republican nominee for Governor of Wyoming 1890	Succeeded by Edward Ivinson
First	Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Wyoming (Class 2) 1918, 1924	Succeeded by Robert D. Carey
Political offices
Preceded by Joseph M. Carey	Mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming 1885	Succeeded by '
Preceded by Elliot S.N. Morgan	Governor of Wyoming Territory 1885–1886	Succeeded by George W. Baxter
Preceded by Thomas Moonlight	Governor of Wyoming Territory 1889–1890	Succeeded by Himself as state Governor
Preceded by Himself as Territorial Governor	Governor of Wyoming October 11, 1890 - November 24, 1890	Succeeded by Amos W. Barber
U.S. Senate
Preceded by (none)	U.S. Senator (Class 1) from Wyoming November 18, 1890 – March 4, 1893	Succeeded by Clarence D. Clark
Preceded by Joseph M. Carey	U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Wyoming March 4, 1895 – November 24, 1929	Succeeded by Patrick J. Sullivan
Honorary titles
Preceded by Henry Cabot Lodge	Dean of the United States Senate November 9, 1924 – November 24, 1929	Succeeded by Furnifold M. Simmons
National Rifle Association
Preceded by Smith W. Brookhart	President of the NRA 1925	Succeeded by Smith W. Brookhart