Governor Edward Tiffin

EDWARD TIFFIN, the first governor of Ohio, was born in Carlisle, England on June 19, 1766. His education was attained in the common schools of England, where he studied medicine. After moving to the United States in 1784, Tiffin attended Jefferson Medical College in Pennsylvania. He eventually settled in Chillicothe, Ohio where he established a successful medical practice. He also became a Methodist minister and actively served the church throughout his life. Tiffin first entered politics in 1799, serving as a member and speaker of the Ohio Territorial House of Representatives, a position he held two years. He also served as president of the 1802 Constitutional Convention. After Ohio entered statehood, Tiffin was elected governor in 1803. He went on to win reelection to a second term in 1805. During his tenure, the state government was organized; and the Aaron Burr plot was prevented. Tiffin resigned from the governorship on March 4, 1807. He then took his seat in the U.S. Senate, an office he held until March 3, 1809. From 1809 to 1811 he served as a member and speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. He also served as the first commissioner of the General Land Office from 1812 to 1814; and was the surveyor general of the Northwest Territory from 1814 to 1829. Governor Edward Tiffin passed away on August 9, 1829, and was buried in the Grand View Cemetery in Chillicothe, Ohio.