Charles McIlrath
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Charles McIlrath | |
|---|---|
 McIlrath c. 1910 by Carl A. Bohnen | |
| 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 | March 11, 1829 |
| Died | January 7, 1910 (aged 80) Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Occupation | Politician Real estate agent |
Charles McIlrath (March 11, 1829 – January 7, 1910) was an American politician and real estate dealer 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 state auditor, McIlrath was indicted on 26 counts of felony and malfeasance in office.
Career
McIlrath served four terms as the second state auditor of Minnesota, holding office from 1861 to 1873 as a member of the Republican Party.[3]
- In the 1860 Minnesota State Auditor election, McIlrath defeated Democratic Party nominee Herman Trott and Democratic Southern Faction candidate Josiah S. (J.S.) Weiser with more than 62% of the vote.[4][5]
- In the 1863 Minnesota State Auditor election, McIlrath defeated Democratic nominee John (J.H.) McKinney, a former receiver at the United States General Land Office in Chatfield and Brownsville, with more than 61% of the vote.[6]
- In the 1866 Minnesota State Auditor election, McIlrath defeated Democratic nominee Nelson E. Nelson—a resident of Henderson who served as deputy county auditor of Sibley County, as well as judge of probate and register of deeds—with more than 62% of the vote.[7]
- In the 1869 Minnesota State Auditor election, McIlrath defeated Democratic nominee Louis A. (L.A.) Evans and Temperance Party nominee John (J.S.) Randolph with more than 54% of the vote.[8]
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.[9]
Outside of politics, McIlrath worked as a real estate dealer.[2]
Legal issues
In October 1874, following his tenure as 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.[10]
