South Carolina Governors – William Aiken, 1844-1846

South Carolina SC History SC Governors Governor William Aiken

Biographical Overview Born: January 28, 1806 in Charleston, South Carolina Died: September 6, 1887 in Flat Rock, NC Buried: Charleston, SC in Magnolia Cemetery Religion: Episcopalian Political Party: Democrat	Governor William Aiken Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division LC-BH82-4845 A
Education South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) - graduated 1825
Occupation Planter

Major Events and Accomplishments, 1844–1846

• 1845 – The General Assembly chartered the Graniteville Manufacturing Company
  

Other Government Positions

• South Carolina House of Representatives, 1838-1842
  
• South Carolina Senate, 1842-1844
  
• US House of Representatives, 1851-1857
  

Other Accomplishments, Honors, Distinctions

• Aiken was arrested by federal authorities for refusing to attend the raising of the US flag at Fort Sumter after its capture by Union troops.
• Aiken was reelected to the US House of Representatives after the Civil War but was denied his seat.

Election Results

• On December 7, 1844, the South Carolina General Assembly elected Aiken for governor by secret ballot.
  

Web Resources

• Aiken-Rhett House - Aiken's home in Charleston SC
• Biographical information - US Congress