Ebenezer Dumont

(Nov. 23, 1814-Apr. 16, 1871). Born in Vevay, Indiana, Ebenezer Dumont graduated from Indiana University. In 1834, he opened the Marion County Seminary. Although he did not remain connected to the school long, it became a leading boys’ school in central Indiana. According to Jacob Piatt Dunn Jr. it educated a great many of the city’s early civic leaders. 

At the same time that he established the Marion County Seminary, Dumont studied law and was admitted to the bar about 1835, after which he practiced in Dearborn County. He was elected to the Indiana legislature in 1838 and was also treasurer of Dearborn County (1839-1845) and president of the State Bank of Indiana (1852-1859). During the Mexican War, he was elected captain and then lieutenant colonel of the 4^th Indiana Regiment and distinguished himself at the battles of Huamantla and Puebla. In 1850, he was again elected to the Indiana House of Representatives, serving as Speaker, and was chosen as a presidential elector for the Democratic Party in 1852. He changed his residence to Indianapolis during that period.

In 1861 Dumont became a Republican, and in April he was appointed colonel of the 7^th Indiana. Between July and September, he participated in the western Virginia campaign, during which Dumont and his command fought well. Dumont was promoted to brigadier general in September. In January 1862, he was given command of the 17^th Brigade of the Army of the Ohio and in May defeated John Hunt Morgan at Lebanon, Kentucky. In October, he commanded the 12^th Division of D. C. Buell’s army during Braxton Bragg’s invasion of Kentucky. In December, he was forced by ill-health to return home and resigned his commission in February 1863.

Dumont was elected to Congress in 1863 and served until 1867 when he declined to run for a third term. In 1871, President Grant appointed him governor of Idaho, but he died before he could take the oath of office.

Help improve this entry

Contribute information, offer corrections, suggest images.

You can also recommend new entries related to this topic.