Charles McIlrath
Charles McIlrath | |
|---|---|
| 2nd Auditor of Minnesota | |
| In office January 1, 1861 – January 13, 1873 | |
| Governor | Alexander Ramsey Henry Adoniram Swift Stephen Miller William Rainey Marshall Horace Austin |
| Preceded by | William F. Dunbar |
| Succeeded by | Orlan P. Whitcomb |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cuyahoga County, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | California, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Occupation | Politician |
Charles McIlrath was an American politician who served as the second state auditor of Minnesota from 1861 to 1873 as a member of the Republican Party.
In 1874, following his tenure as Minnesota state auditor, McIlrath was indicted on 26 counts of felony and malfeasance in office.
Early life
McIlrath was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.[1]
Career
McIlrath served as the second state auditor of Minnesota from 1861 to 1873 as a member of the Republican Party.[2]
McIlrath defeated opponents Herman Trott and J. H. Weiser in the 1861 general election. He received more than 21,000 votes, with fewer than 35,000 votes being cast in the race.[3]
McIlrath won re-election in 1863, defeating Democratic nominee John (J.H.) McKinney, a former receiver at the United States General Land Office in Chatfield and Brownsville, in the November 3 general election by more than 7,000 votes, with fewer than 30,000 votes being cast in the race.[4]
McIlrath's time in office began on January 1, 1861, and concluded on January 13, 1873. He was preceded in office by Democrat William F. Dunbar and succeeded by Republican Orlan P. Whitcomb.
Legal issues
In October 1874, following his tenure as Minnesota state auditor, McIlrath was indicted by a grand jury of Ramsey County, Minnesota, on 26 counts of "felony and malfeasance in office", two of which charged McIlrath with "felonious entry upon the duties of his office before giving the required bonds and sureties", while the remaining counts charged him with "feloniously selling or granting permits to sell or cut pine timber on various lands specified, without a public auction or sale in any manner, contrary to the statute in such cases made and provided", according to The New York Times. The penalty for each offense was a fine and one year of imprisonment. McIlrath posted $13,000 in bond prior to trial.[5]
Death
McIlrath died in California.[2]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charles McIlrath | 21,464 | 62.40 | ||
| Democratic | Herman Trott | 12,153 | 35.33 | ||
| Democratic Southern Faction | Josiah S. (J.S.) Weiser | 779 | 2.26 | ||
| Write-in | 2 | 0.01 | |||
| Total votes | 34,398 | 100.00 | |||
| Republican gain from Democratic | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Charles McIlrath (incumbent) | 19,261 | 61.24 | −1.20 | |
| Democratic | John (J.H.) McKinney | 12,190 | 38.76 | ||
| Total votes | 31,451 | 100.00 | −8.51 | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
References
- ^ Annals of Cleveland. Cleveland W.P.A. Project. 1937. p. 273. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
Mr. McIlrath was born in Cuyahoga county and was noted for his modesty and diligence when a lad.
- ^ a b "Charles McIlrath of St. Peter. State Auditor from 1861–1873. Died in California". Digital Public Library of America. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- ^ Journal of the Senate. Minnesota Senate. 1861. pp. 51–52. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "Auditor, 1863". University of Minnesota. Archived from the original on April 17, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- ^ "Ex-Auditor McIlrath, of Minnesota". The New York Times. October 11, 1874. p. 10. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
