Richard Elihu Sloan

Richard Elihu Sloan (June 22, 1857 – December 13, 1933) was an American jurist and politician, who served as associate justice of the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court, a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona and as the 17th and final Governor of Arizona Territory. As an Associate Justice he served for 16 years, the longest service of any member of the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court, and wrote over 150 legal opinions. As Governor he oversaw Arizona's transition from territory to statehood. Background Sloan was born on June 22, 1857, in Morning Sun, Preble County, Ohio, to Mary (Caldwell) and Dr. Richard E. Sloan. His family had moved to Ohio from South Carolina owing to their opposition to the secession movement and slavery. Sloan was educated in private and public schools and graduated from Monmouth College (Illinois) with an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1877. Following graduation he taught in a private school for a year. Near the time of his college graduation, one of Sloan's older brothers died of quick consumption. When he developed asthma and hay fever, his family became concerned and sent him to Denver, Colorado, hoping the change of climate would provide relief to his symptoms. While in Denver, Sloan worked as a reporter for the Rocky Mountain News. He also worked at several mines near Breckenridge and Leadville, Colorado.