Trusten Polk

Biography

Trusten Polk built a reputation as a dedicated public servant who guided Missouri as governor during a time of national tension. His legal training and thoughtful temperament helped him navigate the rough currents of pre-Civil War politics while trying to preserve peace for his constituents.

He later carried his commitment to the state into the United States Senate and then the army, always striving to serve with dignity amidst shifting allegiances. Polk's name remains linked to the difficult choices faced by leaders during the Nation's great trial.