William Henry Bissell

William Henry Bissell
11th Governor of Illinois
In office
January 12, 1857 – March 18, 1860
LieutenantJohn Wood
Preceded byJoel Aldrich Matteson
Succeeded byJohn Wood
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 8th district
In office
March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855
Preceded byDistrict created
Succeeded byJames L. D. Morrison
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st district
In office
March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853
Preceded byRobert Smith
Succeeded byElihu B. Washburne
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
1840–1842
Personal details
Born(1811-04-25)April 25, 1811
Hartwick, New York
DiedMarch 18, 1860(1860-03-18) (aged 48)
Springfield, Illinois
Political partyDemocratic, Republican
Spouse(s)Emily Susan Jones, Elizabeth Kane
ProfessionPhysician, lawyer, politician
Signature
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1846–1847
Rank Colonel
Commands2nd Illinois Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsMexican–American War

William Henry Bissell (April 25, 1811 – March 18, 1860) was the 11th Governor of the U.S. state of Illinois from 1857 until his death. He was one of the first successful Republican Party candidates in the U.S., winning the election of 1856 just two years after the founding of his party. In addition to being the first Republican governor of Illinois, he was also the first Catholic and also the first to die in office.