JAMES IREDELL, the twenty-third governor of North Carolina, was born in Edenton, North Carolina on November 2, 1788. His parents passed away when he was a young child, and consequently, his uncle, former Governor Samuel Johnston raised him. His education was attained at Edenton Academy, and at Princeton University, where he graduated in 1806. He went on to study law, and then established his legal career in Edenton. During the War of 1812, he served as captain, and led a regiment of volunteers in the protection of Norfolk, Virginia. After his military service, he became involved in politics. In his first political office he served in the North Carolina House of Commons, a position he held in 1813 and 1816 to 1828. He also served as speaker of the house from 1817 to 1828; and was a Superior Court justice in 1819. Iredell next won election to the governorship in 1827. During his tenure, educational and transportation developments were lobbied for. After leaving office, Iredell won election to the U.S. Senate, an office he held from 1828 to 1831. From 1836 to 1837 he served on the commission that revised state laws; and from 1840 to 1852 he served as reporter of the State Supreme Court. Governor James Iredell passed away on April 13, 1853, and was buried in the Johnston burial ground on the Hayes plantation in Edenton, North Carolina.