He was the governor of our state in a time of explosive growth. The modern world was making inroads in Missouri. The Pacific Railroad was chartered and construction started. The first telegraph line was strung. The state medical association was founded. Eight counties were organized. A couple of colleges were chartered. A community named Kansas was incorporated, later to become Kansas City. In addition, he and his family survived two cholera epidemics, one of which filled the capital city of Missouri with sick and dying young people.
