Background
Fremont, John Charles was born on January 21, 1813 in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Son of Jean Charles and Ann Whiting (Pryor) Fremont.
Fremont, John Charles was born on January 21, 1813 in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Son of Jean Charles and Ann Whiting (Pryor) Fremont.
Attended Charleston College, 1829-1831 (expelled).
Commissioned Second lieutenant Topographical corpus, United States army explored Des Moines River. Helped make surveys in Carolina mountains, also in Georgia. Accompained expedition of J.N. Nicollet to plateau between Upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers.
Mapped parts of Iowa Territory, 1841. Made 1st important exploration to Wind River, Chain of the Rockies (with Kit Carson as guide), 1842. Published Report of the Exploring Expedition of the Rocky Mountains, 1843.
Explored West to Oregon and South to Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1843-1844 (expedition left early because his wife informed him that expedition was to be recalled). Made survey of Central Rockies, Great Salt Lake Region, also part of Sierra Nevada. Participated prominently in conquest of California.
Helped capture Los Angeles during Mexican War, 1846. Appointed civil governor California, 1847. Involved in Stockton-Kearny military quarrel, refused to obey orders, arrested for mutiny, court martialled, Wahington, 1847-1848, found guilty of mutiny, disobedience, conduct prejudicial to order.
Penalty remitted by President Polk. Resigned from United States Army to lead an expedition subsidized by private interests in California to locate railroad passes from Upper Rio Grande into California, largely unsuccessful, 1848-1849. Member United States Senate from California (one of 1st 2 senators from California) September 9, 1850-March 4, 1851.
Led expedition in search of Southern route for Pacific Railroad, 1852-1854. 1st Republican and National American (Know Nothing) Party candidate for United States Pes., 1856. In quartz mining business, Mariposa, California.
Served as major general United States.Army in charge of Department of West during Civil War, removed because of his ordering of the “confiscation of rebel property” (including slaves). Commander Mountain Department in Western Virginia, 1862. Radical Republican nominee for United States President (withdrew before elections), 1864.
President, promoter Memphis & El Paso R.R., circa 1865-1873. Lost fortune in railroad ventures, 1870. Territorial governor Arizona, 1878-1883.
Restored to the United States Army as major general, 1890. Called “Pathfinder”.
Member United States Senate from California (one of 1st 2 senators from California) September 9, 1850-March 4, 1851.
Married Jessie Benton, October 19, 1841.