Jonas Galusha

Jonas Galusha (February 11, 1753 – September 24, 1834) was an American farmer and innkeeper. A militia veteran of the American Revolutionary War, he became active in politics as a Democratic-Republican and served as governor of Vermont from 1809 to 1813 and 1815 to 1820.

A native of Norwich, Connecticut, his family moved to Salisbury in 1769. In 1775, they moved to Shaftsbury, Vermont. Galusha became a farmer and innkeeper in Shaftsbury. Active in the militia, he commanded a company as a captain during the American Revolutionary War's Battle of Bennington in 1777.

After the war, Galusha became active in local government. After Vermont joined the Union in 1791, he joined the Democratic–Republican Party. Among the offices he held were sheriff of Bennington County (1781–1787), member of the governor's council (1793–1798 and 1801–1805), and assistant judge of the county court (1795–1797 and 1800–1806). Galusha also served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1800 to 1801 and a judge of the Vermont Supreme Court from 1807 to 1808.

Galusha was elected governor in 1809 and won reelection each year until 1813. Most Democratic–Republican politicians supported US participation in the War of 1812; most Vermonters were opposed because of their lucrative trade with Canada. In 1813, Martin Chittenden, a Federalist and opponent of the war, won a narrow election for governor. In 1814, Chittenden again defeated Galusha in a close contest. By 1815, public opinion in Vermont had shifted, and Galusha was returned to the governorship. He continued to win reelection each year until 1819 and was not a candidate for another term in 1820.

After leaving office, Galusha resumed his farming and business pursuits. He died in Shaftsbury and was buried at Center Shaftsbury Cemetery.

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