By John P. Langellier, Ph.D.
John Charles Frémont’s first view of the world occurred on January 21, 1813 in Savannah, Georgia. He was the son of a young Southern belle married to a man far her senior, and who was not John’s father. In fact, his father was a tutor for the young unhappily married woman. Their liaison would result in John’s birth out of wedlock. This fact proved a serious social handicap at that time, and made for a difficult upbringing. His quick mind, however, aided him albeit he was less than a model student.
Nonetheless, his mathematical abilities permitted him to secure a position with the U. S. Navy as an instructor aboard ship in the days prior to the establishment of the Naval Academy at Annapolis. Several years later he received a commission in the U. S. Army’s elite Corps of Topographical Engineers.
It was while serving as a lieutenant that he met the woman who would make a great change in his life – Jessie Benton, the favorite daughter of the very influential United States senator and slave owner from Missouri, Thomas Hart Benton. Benton was a Democratic Party leader for over 30 years. He championed the expansionist movement known as “Manifest Destiny,” a political cause that became somewhat of a religious belief that the North American continent, from one end to the other, should belong to the citizens of the United States. It meant that acquiring those lands was the country’s birthright – its God-given destiny, if you will. That movement became a crusade for politicians like Senator Benton.
While, to a certain degree, Frémont shared somewhat similar views, the senator was not pleased that his teenage daughter wished to affiliate with the socially and economically inferior young officer. But he underestimated the strength, commitment and passion the couple shared. Knowing her father opposed their union, John and Jessie eloped. Ultimately, Frémont’s father-in-law conceded to the Jessie’s choice.
In fact, Senator Benton was instrumental in securing Frémont’s appointment in 1842 to lead a westward expedition, the first of many he would make to the then vast, uncharted region beyond the Mississippi River. In this endeavor, he headed a hardy band of rugged men, including the intrepid Christopher “Kit” Carson on a reconnaissance through South Pass in Wyoming Territory on a quest for the best route to the Oregon Country. This first foray helped seal his fame as an explorer and eventually led the press to dub him “The Great Pathfinder.”
By 1849, Frémont had completed four expeditions for the purpose of advancing the vision of “Manifest Destiny” by charting and mapping much of the West.
In his prime John Frémont cut a rather dashing figure as depicted here in his younger years. As an older man he made his home in Prescott, which still stands at Sharlot Hall Museum. For more about Frémont’s residence see Days Past in the November 11, 2012 Courier (SHM Call Number: PO-0772.1pa)
Frémont’s days as an explorer gained him national recognition. This notoriety helped secure his 1856 nomination as the first candidate of the newly created Republican Party to stand for the office of president of the United States. Frémont’s bid for the White House failed (even his father-in-law supported the democrat candidate), but during the 1860 race for the presidency, Abraham Lincoln successfully carried the Republican banner, although at a high cost. Soon after his election, Lincoln faced his first term as commander in chief during a savage civil war.
After fighting erupted, Frémont donned his uniform once more, this time as a major general of volunteers. At first, he made his headquarters in Missouri, but a series of events ranging from charges of corruption to what then was considered a too aggressive stand against slavery, led to his transfer.
While at odds with Lincoln and boasting a less than impressive record as a Union general, Republican leaders nevertheless did not forget him. With his career waning after the war, some party officials sought to improve his fortunes and to reward his loyalty to the GOP. This led to Frémont being offered the choice of governorships for either Idaho Territory or Arizona Territory. He opted for the latter post and President Rutherford B. Hayes appointed him in 1878.
As the fifth territorial governor of Arizona (1878-1881), he set out for the capital, which had just been re-established in Prescott after years of being located in Tucson.
His administration began the official practice of celebrating Thanksgiving Day in Arizona. He also championed an official territorial lottery that was to help construct public buildings as well as establish schools. Despite efforts of this nature, newspapers around the territory tended to paint an unfavorable picture of the governor whom they contended was absent from his duties frequently and whom they felt was more concerned about promoting his own economic interests, including mining, rather than furthering Arizona’s interests. He resigned in the wake of this controversy.
Frémont’s later years were unremarkable and he died in New York City in 1890 at age 77.
(John Langellier is the Executive Director at Sharlot Hall Museum.)
(Days Past is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners, International. The public is encouraged to submit articles for Days Past consideration. Please contact Assistant Archivist, Scott Anderson, at SHM Archives 928-445-3122 or via email at archivesrequest@sharlot.com for information.)