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First Territorial Governor
Political Background:
William A. Jayne was a medical doctor and served as Abraham Lincoln's personal physician in Springfield, Illinois. He also served as mayor of Springfield from 1859 to 1861. He became a member of the Illinois State Senate in 1860, and resigned in 1861 to accept the appointment of governor of Dakota Territory from President Lincoln.
After resigning as territorial governor, Dr. Jayne returned to Illinois, serving as a congressional representative for a year. He returned to his medical practice in Springfield and served three more terms as mayor of that city.
Present-day Yankton, South Dakota, served as the first capitol of Dakota Territory. The first governor's residence was a small log cabin.
Governor Jayne was from Illinois. He served as President Lincoln's personal physician.
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612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
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State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are closed at noon Christmas Eve if it falls on Mon.-Thurs. and are closed all day if it falls on Fri.-Sun.
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State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.
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phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov
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