John Slaughter

John Slaughter was born June 28, 1809 in what is now West Virginia. In 1812, he moved, with his family, to Pike County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He attended the University of Albany, Athens County. In 1861, he moved to Colorado, where he resided until he came to Cheyenne in the fall of 1867, as one of the town’s first residents. Soon after his arrival, he was made justice of the peace and also held other minor political positions. In 1873, Slaughter was appointed Territorial Librarian and, by virtue of this position, assumed the office of ex-officio Superintendent of Public Instruction from December 12, 1873 until March 14, 1890. He resigned, due to ill health, his daughter, Minnie Slaughter, being appointed to fill the vacancy. John Slaughter was appointed State Librarian, taking oath of office September 17, 1892, and serving until February 16, 1901, when C. G. Coutant succeeded him. Mr. Slaughter was retained as his assistant.

Slaughter's son, Johnny, was the first Cheyenne-Deadwood Stage driver to be killed on the route in 1877. Slaughter himself died at the age of 91, on December 5, 1903, outliving all other members of his immediate family.