Stevens Thomson Mason

The book by Kent Sagendorph would make perfect material for a Hollywood blockbuster screenplay on the life of the young 19 year old Michigan boy governor. At a young age he impressed Andrew Jackson when he visited his home on the campaign trial. Later this came in handy when he convinced Jackson he should be Secretary Governor of the Michigan territory when his dad requested to leave the job assignment in search of exploring govnerment options in making Texas a state. He knew his dad was a dreamer so he essentially running as his dad's page learned the job. He was replaced by Jackson when he ran askew politically of Jackson's party fighting Ohio over the Toledo railroad (Ohio was a state and had votes Michigan did not), even though Ohio had usurped Michigan's land. The people loved him so much they elected him Governor of Michigan territory because they knew he was willing to stick his neck out for the state. Mason was succussful in having Michigan become a state, no small task at the time as the makings of the Civil Wars started impending due to Michigan not being a slave state. He withered the Bank Panic of 1837 and was able to get funding in New York for Michigan's internal improvement programs (railroads, canals). He was falsely accused of benefiting financially from this deal by his political enemy and arch nemesis William Woodbridge, of the Whig party. Unable to defend himself publicly and exonerate himself he was forced to migrate to New York with his young family to try to make a living as a lawyer. History has since exonerated him and years later with pomp and circumstance his body was brought back and buried in Michigan at the site of his original Governor's office with a bronze statue to memorialize the great man. Reading this book, one sees the benefits of youthful optimism and selfless dedication at all costs. Here was a man who did everything for others and for years also took care of his mom and siblings while his dad remained away on adventures that carried him frequently to New Orleans and Texas. Turns out what brought him down, an unethical political party boss Woodbridge also brought down the whole party. Their tactics, their land grabbing and thievery (selling great public works projects to party capitalists) eventually got that party booted out of office. The session of Whigs that managed to falsely humiliate Mason was the last majority of Whigs ever to e dominate the Michigan legislature. Refreshing book on how the masses, the people eventually turn out dirty politics on their own. Mason: a hero.