Thomas Carney was an Amertican politician and governor of Kansas, beginning his career in mercantile business.
Background
Thomas Carney was born on August 20, 1824 on a small farm in Delaware County, Ohio, United States; the son of James and Sarah Carney. When Thomas was four years old, his father died, and the boy remained with his mother to help support the family until he was nineteen.
Education
He was educated in Berkshire, Ohio where he lived with an uncle.
Career
Carney took a position with a wholesale house in Cincinnati, of which in June 1852 he became a partner.
Carney, Swift & Company soon became one of the most prosperous and best-known mercantile firms in the Middle West. Several years of strenuous effort here impaired his health. Desiring to recuperate and to find a new location he purchased a farm in Illinois and engaged temporarily in the live-stock business. In 1858 or 1859 he removed to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he and Thomas Stevens established a wholesale house which soon did a large business. Later he became the sole proprietor of two successful wholesale houses in St. Louis.
His ability and service soon brought him into favorable notice. In September 1862 he received the Republican nomination for governor and a few weeks later was elected by a majority of 4, 627 votes over W. R. Wagstaff, his opponent. He then arranged to withdraw his attention from business and to give his entire time and energy to the duties of his office. An able executive was badly needed. The state's credit was poor and its treasury empty. There were dangers incident to civil war. Guerrilla bands from Missouri threatened the state on the eastern side and hostile Indians menaced its western settlements. Under the leadership of the new governor the legislature voted a bond issue sufficient to provide for the needs of the state. Being a rich man, Carney personally endorsed the bonds and guaranteed the payment of both principal and interest when due. They were then readily sold at a satisfactory price. A military patrol was organized for the eastern counties of the state and paid from the Governor's private funds until Federal troops for guard duty were available. It was after this change was made that the Quantrill's guerrillas slipped across the border, sacked the town of Lawrence on July 21, 1863, and murdered not less than one hundred and fifty unarmed men. In February 1864 he was elected United States senator for the term beginning Mar. 4, 1865. As this election was held in advance of the usual time and its legality doubtful he never claimed the seat. In the fall of 1864 he called out the entire militia of the state, 12, 622 in number, to resist Gen. Price who had invaded Missouri and eastern Kansas. In January 1865 Carney retired to private life with an excellent record as a public official. His remaining years were uneventful.
Achievements
Membership
After his term as State Representative, Carney was elected Governor of Kansas and served from 1863 through 1865.
Connections
He was married in 1851 to Rebecca Ann Canaday of Kenton, Ohio.