CHARLES HENRY SHELDON was born in Johnson, Vermont. After attending Lamoille County School, he served as a Captain in the 7 th Vermont Infantry during the Civil War. He moved west in 1882, settling first in southern Illinois and later in Dakota Territory. He became a member of the Dakota Territorial Council in 1886. The second governor of the new state of South Dakota, Sheldon served during the Panic of 1893 and the depression that followed. He died one year after leaving office.