Andrew Jackson Faulk

Andrew Jackson Faulk (November 26, 1814 – September 5, 1898) was the third Governor of Dakota Territory.

Biography

Andrew Jackson Faulk was born at Milford, Pike County, Pennsylvania, the son of John Faulk. Faulk moved with his family to Kittaning, Pennsylvania, where he was educated. He learned the printing trade and later edited the "Armstrong County Democrat." He also studied law and became involved with the Democratic party. Faulk served as county treasurer and then joined the Pennsylvania militia. Because of the slave issue, Faulk left the Democratic party to support John C. Fremont in 1856 and Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

Faulk was appointed chief clerk at the Yankton Agency in 1861 and worked for Dr. Walter A. Burleigh. After the Santee uprising in 1862, he and his daughters returned to Pennsylvania. Dakota Territory Governor, Newton Edmunds assisted the investigation by a congressional committee of Walter Burleigh's corrupt behavior on the Yankton Reservation from 1861 to 1864; and, Burleigh responded by presenting charges against Governor Edmunds to President Andrew Johnson. Burleigh recommended that Edmunds be replaced by Andrew J. Faulk. In August 1866, President Johnson dismissed Newton Edmunds and appointed Faulk as Governor of Dakota Territory. After arriving at Yankton, Dakota Territory on September 3, 1866, Faulk relieved Edmunds of his duties and served as the interim Governor until officially assuming the office on March 16,...
Read More