What is john ballantine?

John Ballantine was an American businessman and politician who served as the twenty-third Governor of New Jersey from 1857 to 1860. Born in Scotland in 1797, Ballantine immigrated to the United States with his family when he was a child. He graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1815 and studied law before being admitted to the bar in 1819.

Ballantine practiced law in Newark, New Jersey and quickly became one of the most prominent lawyers in the state. He served as the attorney general of New Jersey from 1838 to 1841 and was elected to the New Jersey State Senate in 1850. In 1857, he was elected Governor of New Jersey as a member of the Whig Party.

As governor, Ballantine worked to improve public education in the state and establish a state police force. He also supported the construction of a new state capitol building in Trenton and the expansion of the state's transportation infrastructure.

After serving as governor, Ballantine returned to his law practice and continued to be active in state politics. He died in Newark in 1864 at the age of 67.