The 1872 Illinois gubernatorial election was the fifteenth election for
this office.
Republican nominee, Former Governor
Richard J. Oglesby defeated the Democratic and Liberal Republican nominee
Gustavus Koerner. B. G. Wright represented Independent Democrats unwilling to ally with Liberal Republicans. Oglesby had agreed to run for the Governorship but to resign upon being elected so that Lt. Governor
John Lourie Beveridge could assume the office. Oglesby was in turn appointed to the U.S. Senate.
At this time in Illinois history, the Lieutenant Governor was elected on a separate ballot from the governor. This would remain so until the 1970 constitution.
Stringer, Lawrence B. History of Logan County, Illinois, a Record of Its Settlement, Organization, Progress, and Achievement. Chicago, Pioneer Publishing Company: 1911. p. 292