In 1835 the voters of Michigan elected Stevens Mason to be their first state governor whenever the territory attained statehood.

That process, however, took longer than expected as Congress refused to admit Michigan to the Union until January 26, 1837.

Mason served as governor from that date until January 7, 1840 (having been elected to a second term in 1837).

He was barely 25 years old when he became governor and was only 28 when his term ended. Small wonder that people called him “The Boy Governor!”

That Mason could attain such a significant office at such a young age was truly remarkable. B...