Daniel S. Bacon
Daniel Stanton Bacon | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Onondaga County, New York, U.S. |
| Died | May 18, 1866 (aged 67) Monroe, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Jurist, politician, bank president |
| Years active | 1822–1866 |
| Known for | Member of the Michigan House of Representatives; probate judge; director of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company |
Daniel Stanton Bacon (December 12, 1798 – May 18, 1866) was an American jurist and politician who served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives. He was the father of Elizabeth Bacon Custer, who became the spouse and widow of General George Armstrong Custer.
Early life
Originally from Onondaga County, New York, Bacon eventually established his residence in Monroe, Michigan.
Career
In 1822, Bacon worked as a schoolteacher along the River Raisin and formed a business partnership with Levi S. Humphrey, engaging in multiple enterprises including legal practice.
From 1832 to 1835, he served as a representative for the 5th district on the Michigan Territorial Council. In August 1837, the Whig Party selected him as their candidate for lieutenant governor. He was elected to represent Monroe County in the Michigan House of Representatives, holding office from January through April 1839. During this period, Bacon was put forward by the Whigs as a candidate for speaker but was defeated by Kinsley S. Bingham. Additionally, he participated as a delegate at the 1839 Whig National Convention and was nominated by his party as a presidential elector in the 1852 election.
Beyond his political engagements, Bacon occupied prominent positions such as probate judge, bank president in Monroe, and director of the Michigan Southern Railroad Company.
Personal life
On September 12, 1837, Bacon wed Eleanor Sophia Page in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their only surviving child, Elizabeth, was born on April 8, 1842, and later married General George Armstrong Custer on February 9, 1864. Eleanor passed away on August 12, 1854. Subsequently, Bacon remarried Rhoda Wells Pitts on February 23, 1859, in Orange, New Jersey.
Death
Bacon passed away on May 18, 1866, in Monroe and was laid to rest at Woodland Cemetery.