WILLIAM DENNISON, the twenty-fourth governor of Ohio, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on November 23, 1815. His education was attained at Miami University, where he graduated in 1835. He went on to study law, and then established his legal career in Columbus. Besides his legal practice, Dennison also had interests in the banking and railroad industries. He first entered politics in 1848, serving one term in the Ohio State Senate. Dennison next secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by a popular vote in the 1859 general election. During his tenure, the Civil War had started, and troops and arms were raised for the war effort. After running unsuccessfully for reelection, Dennison returned to his legal and business interests. Two years later, he served as chairman of the Republican National Convention. In his last position, he secured an appointment from President Lincoln to serve as postmaster general, a post he held two years. Governor William Dennison passed away on June 15, 1882, and was buried in the Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.