Preceded by Joshua Ferris Resigned May 2, 1849 | Name Clark Bissell | |
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Role Former Governor of Connecticut Previous office Governor of Connecticut (1847–1849) Education | ||
Resting place Union Cemetery, Norwalk | ||
Clark Bissell (September 7, 1782 – September 15, 1857) was the 34th Governor of Connecticut. He served as an Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1829 to 1839. He had previously served as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives representing Norwalk and the Connecticut Senate representing the 12th District.
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Early life
Bissell was born in Lebanon, Connecticut on September 7, 1782. He studied at Yale College and graduated in 1806. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1809. He married Sally Sherwood and they had six children; Samuel Burr Sherwood Bissell (1812 - 1894), Edward C Bissell (1822 - 1891), George A Bissell (1825 - 1860), Mary Elizabeth Bissell Betts (1827 - 1907), Charlotte Charity Bissell Ferry (1828 - 1915), Arthur Henry Bissell (1831 - 1831).
Politics
Becoming a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1829, Bissell was re-elected in 1841, and served in the Connecticut Senate from 1842 to 1843. He also served as an associate judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors from 1829 to 1839.
Governor of Connecticut
Bissell ran unsuccessfully for the Connecticut governorship in 1846. However, he was elected in 1847 as Governor of Connecticut and was re-elected in 1848. During his term, he advocated for reform in education, taxes, and liquor prohibition, however, only insignificant legislation was passed. He vetoed a resolution on divorce, and it was looked upon as sabotaging the legislature's power. Because of this, he was not renominated for the 1849 election.
After completing his term as the Governor, Bissell continued as a Professor of Law at Yale University, a position he was appointed to during his governorship. He also served in the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1850.
Death
Bissell died on September 15, 1857 (age 75 years, 8 days). He is interred at Norwalk Union Cemetery, Norwalk, Connecticut.