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North Carolina's Governors
David Settle Reid (1813-1891), in addition to being governor, served in both houses of Congress; his long political career extended beyond the era of Reconstruction. Born in Rockingham County and forced to earn his keep at a young age, he was appointed postmaster at sixteen. Through hard work, Reid rose quickly in wealth and popularity. Reid played an influential role in passage of the 1839 public school law. The state's first public school opened in Rockingham County in 1840. He won his second bid for election to the U.S. House in 1843. There he supported the expansionist policies of President James K. Polk including statehood for Texas, war with Mexico, and subsequent Mexican territorial cession. As the Democratic choice for governor in 1848, Reid was narrowly defeated by Charles Manly. He ran again in 1850, defeating Manly and sending the Whig party into eclipse. Planks in Reid's campaign called for "judicious" internal improvements, support for public schools, and defense of southern rights. The last was paramount in his inaugural address. Reid's two terms as governor were marked by expanded internal improvements, appointment of Calvin H. Wiley as the first Superintendent of the Common Schools; initiation of the geological survey; and confirmation of land titles held by Cherokee Indians who had remained in North Carolina. In 1854 the General Assembly elected David S. Reid to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate, and he turned over gubernatorial duties to Warren Winslow. During his term in the Senate he spoke in defense of states' rights. Defeated for re-election in 1858, Reid retired to private life, stepping back into the public arena occasionally to defend southern rights. In May 1881 Reid suffered a severe stroke that left him paralyzed. He fought failing health for a decade before succumbing in 1891. He was buried in Reidsville.
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