Stevens Thomson Mason (1811-1843) - Find a Grave Memorial

Michigan Governor. Born into a politically powerful Virginia family, he was educated at Transylvania University Kentucky, rose to political prominence at an early age and was appointed Michigan Territorial Secretary in 1830, by President Andrew Jackson, at age 19. In 1834, he was appointed the acting Michigan Territorial Governor. In 1835, as a Democrat, he was elected as the first Governor of Michigan at age 23, serving until 1840. As Governor, Michigan was admitted as a state to the Union in 1837, a statewide educational system was advocated for, land was secured for the future site of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the state's first geologist, Dr. Douglass Houghton was named. After leaving office, he retired from political life and later relocated to New York City and managed a law firm until his death. Mason County, Michigan and the city of Mason, Michigan is named after him. Mason was and remains the youngest United States Governor in American history.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith