Oregon Governor. Born in Illinois in 1872, he moved to Oregon in 1891. His occupations ranged from farmhand and sewer digger, to gold miner in the Yukon. When he settled again in Oregon, he worked for his brother-in-law, Oswald West, in the State Land Office. His involvement in politics continued, as he eventually served as Secretary of State. He became Governor of Oregon in 1919 when incumbant James Withycombe died in office. He narrowly lost a reelection bid to Walter Pierce (who was the K.K.K. candidate) after publicically denouncing the Klan. In 1924 he became the director of the Oregon Mutual Savings Bank in Portland, Oregon. He died in Portland, and is buried in Salem, Oregon.
Oregon Governor. Born in Illinois in 1872, he moved to Oregon in 1891. His occupations ranged from farmhand and sewer digger, to gold miner in the Yukon. When he settled again in Oregon, he worked for his brother-in-law, Oswald West, in the State Land Office. His involvement in politics continued, as he eventually served as Secretary of State. He became Governor of Oregon in 1919 when incumbant James Withycombe died in office. He narrowly lost a reelection bid to Walter Pierce (who was the K.K.K. candidate) after publicically denouncing the Klan. In 1924 he became the director of the Oregon Mutual Savings Bank in Portland, Oregon. He died in Portland, and is buried in Salem, Oregon.
Bio by: RB
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