Charles McIlrath

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Charles McIlrath
2nd Minnesota State Auditor
In office
January 1, 1861 – January 13, 1873
GovernorAlexander Ramsey
Henry Adoniram SwiftStephen Miller
William Rainey Marshall
Horace Austin
Preceded byWilliam F. Dunbar
Succeeded byOrlan P. Whitcomb
Personal details
BornCuyahoga County, Ohio, U.S.
DiedCalifornia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
ProfessionPolitician

Charles McIlrath was an American politician who served as the second Minnesota State Auditor from 1861 to 1873 as a member of the Republican Party.

Following his tenure as Minnesota State Auditor, McIlrath was indicted on 26 counts of felony and malfeasance in office.

Early life[edit]

McIlrath was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.[1]

Career[edit]

McIlrath served as the second Minnesota State Auditor 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 over 21,000 votes, with less than 35,000 votes being cast overall 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 general election by over 7,000 votes, with less than 30,000 votes being cast overall in the race.[4]

McIlrath's time in office began on January 1, 1861, and concluded on January 13, 1873. He was preceded by William F. Dunbar and succeeded by Orlan P. Whitcomb.

Legal issues[edit]

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."[5]

Death[edit]

McIlrath died in California.[2]

Electoral history[edit]

1863 Minnesota State Auditor general election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Charles McIlrath 19,261 61.24 −1.20%
Democratic John (J.H.) McKinney 12,190 38.76
Total votes 31,451 100.0 −8.51%
Republican gain from Democratic

References[edit]

  1. ^ Annals of Cleveland. Cleveland W.P.A. Project. 1937. p. 273.
  2. ^ a b "Charles McIlrath of St. Peter. State Auditor from 1861-1873. Died in California". Digital Public Library of America. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Journal of the Senate. Minnesota Senate. 1861. pp. 51, 52.
  4. ^ "Auditor, 1863". University of Minnesota. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  5. ^ "EX-AUDITOR McILRATH, OF MINNESOTA". The New York Times. October 11, 1874. p. 10. Retrieved August 10, 2023. Closed access icon