John Peter Richardson III (September 25, 1831 – July 6, 1899) was the 83rd governor of South Carolina from 1886 to 1890.
John Peter Richardson III | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 83rd Governor of South Carolina | |
| In office November 30, 1886 – December 4, 1890 | |
| Lieutenant | William Mauldin |
| Preceded by | John Calhoun Sheppard |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Tillman |
| Treasurer of South Carolina | |
| In office November 30, 1880 – November 30, 1886 | |
| Governor | Johnson Hagood Hugh Smith Thompson John Calhoun Sheppard |
| Member of the South Carolina Senate from Clarendon County | |
| In office November 29, 1865 – April 16, 1868 | |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Clarendon County | |
| In office November 27, 1865 – November 29, 1865 | |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Clarendon District | |
| In office November 24, 1856 – November 24, 1862 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Peter Richardson III September 25, 1831 Clarendon County, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | July 6, 1899 (aged 67) Richland County, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Eleanora Norvell Richardson |
| Children | Wilhelmina Willis (Clarkson) |
| Alma mater | University of South Carolina |
| Profession | Planter, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | Confederate Army |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Family and early life
editRichardson was born in Clarendon County, South Carolina, to John Peter Richardson II, a former Governor of South Carolina, and Juliana Augusta Manning. After graduating from South Carolina College in 1849, Richardson managed Elmswood Plantation in Clarendon County. He was also elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives during antebellum South Carolina.[1]
Service in the American Civil War
editWith the outbreak of the American Civil War, Richardson enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1862 and was on the staff of Brigadier General James Cantey until the end of the war. After which, he was elected in 1865 to the South Carolina House of Representatives and later that year to the South Carolina Senate. Richardson was not active in politics during the Reconstruction era, however in 1880 he returned as state Treasurer.[2][3]
Term as governor
editIn 1886, Richardson was endorsed by Clarendon County Democrats for the candidacy of governor. The recently formed Farmers' Association has significant influence in Richardson's nomination for candidacy. Richardson won the nomination for governorship, and subsequently went on to win the general election. He was inaugurated as governor on November 30, 1886.[3]
During his second term as governor, Richardson established Clemson College, now known as Clemson University. Richardson initially opposed the creation of Clemson, because he thought that it would siphon funds away from the already existing University of South Carolina. However, he eventually relented in November 1889, when the college was established.[3]
Death
editOn July 6, 1899, Richardson died in Columbia.
References
edit- ^ "South Carolina Governor - John Peter Richardson, III - 1886-1890". www.sciway.net. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
- ^ "South Carolina Governor John Peter Richardson". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007.
- ^ a b c Edgar, Walter, ed. (2006). The South Carolina Encyclopedia. University of South Carolina Press. ISBN 9781570035982.