Colorado Governor. After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1879, he earned a law degree from the University of Colorado and had a distinguished legal career. He was elected as a judge of the Third Judicial District, serving (1889-95), served on the bench of the Colorado Court of Appeals, (1901-05) and as a judge on the Colorado Supreme Court, (1905-07). In 1917, he was elected as a Democrat the 21st Governor of Colorado, serving until 1919. As Governor during World War I, the Colorado Home Guard, the Colorado Wartime Council and the Council of Defense were all designed to aid the troops. He was the first to mobilize the National Guard, was an influential force in the first State Council of National Defense and he wrote personalized letters to the Colorado families who lost loved ones in the war. Also during his administration, an army hospital in Denver was constructed, a tax was charged to corporations benefiting the national defense and funding for state institutions was extended to a 10-year period. After leaving office, he declined offers to return to the Colorado Supreme Court and lived in retirement until his death.
Colorado Governor. After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1879, he earned a law degree from the University of Colorado and had a distinguished legal career. He was elected as a judge of the Third Judicial District, serving (1889-95), served on the bench of the Colorado Court of Appeals, (1901-05) and as a judge on the Colorado Supreme Court, (1905-07). In 1917, he was elected as a Democrat the 21st Governor of Colorado, serving until 1919. As Governor during World War I, the Colorado Home Guard, the Colorado Wartime Council and the Council of Defense were all designed to aid the troops. He was the first to mobilize the National Guard, was an influential force in the first State Council of National Defense and he wrote personalized letters to the Colorado families who lost loved ones in the war. Also during his administration, an army hospital in Denver was constructed, a tax was charged to corporations benefiting the national defense and funding for state institutions was extended to a 10-year period. After leaving office, he declined offers to return to the Colorado Supreme Court and lived in retirement until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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