b. 1818-03-25
d. 1862-10-01
Isaac Ingalls Stevens (1818-62) was born in Andover, Massachusetts, on 25 March 1818.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1839 and was commissioned
a second lieutenant of engineers. In 1849, after serving as engineer adjutant during
the Mexican War, Stevens was appointed executive assistant in the United States Coast
Survey.
On 16 March 1853, he resigned from the army to accept the post of first governor of
the new
Washington Territory, remaining there until 1857, when he was elected territorial delegate to Congress.
In 1860, he served as chairman of the Breckinridge and Lane National Committee.
During the American Civil War, Stevens was colonel of the 79th Regiment of New York
Volunteers, rising to major general on 4 July 1862. He died in battle at Chantilly
on 1 September 1862.