 james iredell, jr. (november 2, 1788 â april 13, 1853) was the 23rd governor of the u.s. state of north carolina between 1827 and 1828. ==early life== iredell was born in chowan county, north carolina. he was the son of well-known parents: his father, james iredell, was a statesman and u.s. supreme court justice, and his mother was the sister of former governor samuel johnston. in 1806, young iredell graduated from the college of new jersey (today princeton university). on his way toward political prominence, iredell commanded a company of volunteers during the war of 1812, practiced law in chowan county, served in the state house of commons, as a representative from edenton, and was appointed a superior court judge. iredell kept a diary, which was rare among the north carolina gentry at that time and provides researchers with a glimpse into the life of that time period. ==governor and u.s. senator== during his short term as governor, he pushed for better infrastructure and education. reacting to an interest of the dayâhorse-drawn railroad carriagesâhe suggested the construction of a trial railroad from campbellton to fayetteville. however, his brief time in office (and the inherent weaknesses of the governor under the north carolina constitution) did not allow him to accomplish much. he left office after a few months to serve in the u.s. senate, a post he held from 1828 to 1831. he was completing the term of nathaniel macon, who had resigned. by that time, iredell was a jacksonian, or member of the democratic party. iredell did not seek to be re-elected by the state general assembly to
1788_births 1853_deaths American_judges American_people_of_English_descent American_people_of_Scottish_descent Democratic-Republican_Party_state_governors_of_the_United_States Democratic_Party_United_States_Senators Governors_of_North_Carolina North_Carolina_Democratic-Republicans North_Carolina_Jacksonians North_Carolina_state_court_judges People_from_Chowan_County,_North_Carolina Princeton_University_alumni United_States_Senators_from_North_Carolina