Rhode Island Governor. He arrived from Canada with his parents in 1870 and settled in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He started a clerkship in the Woonsocket Institution for Savings and worked his way up from teller, to Vice President and then President of the institution. His political career began in 1885 as a member of the Woonsocket School Committee. Having two terms in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, he was asked by Governor Taft to be the Rhode Island Delegate to the Paris Trade Exhibit. He believed that foreign investment was essential to the industrial growth of the city of Woonsocket. While abroad he was always on the alert for opportunities to advance the industrial standing of Woonsocket. Upon his return to the city, he served several terms as Woonsocket City Auditor. Elected to the office of Mayor in 1893 he became the first French Canadian to be elected that that office. After two terms, he was elected Lt. Governor in 1897. Dring a second appointment as the Rhode Island Delegate to the International Trade Exposition in Paris, he met his future wife, Francois de Charmigny. Returning to stateside politics in 1908 he was elected Governor. He was elected a total of seven times. During his tenure, he established the Rhode Island State Police. He was serving his seventh term as Governor when he died after a short illness.
Rhode Island Governor. He arrived from Canada with his parents in 1870 and settled in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He started a clerkship in the Woonsocket Institution for Savings and worked his way up from teller, to Vice President and then President of the institution. His political career began in 1885 as a member of the Woonsocket School Committee. Having two terms in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, he was asked by Governor Taft to be the Rhode Island Delegate to the Paris Trade Exhibit. He believed that foreign investment was essential to the industrial growth of the city of Woonsocket. While abroad he was always on the alert for opportunities to advance the industrial standing of Woonsocket. Upon his return to the city, he served several terms as Woonsocket City Auditor. Elected to the office of Mayor in 1893 he became the first French Canadian to be elected that that office. After two terms, he was elected Lt. Governor in 1897. Dring a second appointment as the Rhode Island Delegate to the International Trade Exposition in Paris, he met his future wife, Francois de Charmigny. Returning to stateside politics in 1908 he was elected Governor. He was elected a total of seven times. During his tenure, he established the Rhode Island State Police. He was serving his seventh term as Governor when he died after a short illness.
Bio by: Bearded Graver
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