Political leader. He was a powerful Republican party boss who wielded great influence for decades. At age 19 he moved to North Canaan to teach and write for the Canaan Times in order to help pay for law school. His involvement in politics began in his 20s when he would work the polls on Election Day. In 1894 he was named chairman of the North Canaan Republican Town Committee. Four years later he was elected to the Republican State Central Committee. He served several terms but was not a member when elected chairman in 1912. He first became a notable presence on the state political scene when he managed the campaign of gubernatorial candidate Charles A. Goodwin. Goodwin beat out Lt. Governor Everett Lake for the party nomination after a significant internal party fight, though Goodwin lost come Election Day. Having been a member of the National Republican Committee since 1920, Roraback was named a member of the GOP executive committee in 1924. In 1932 he accepted the third vice chairman post on the advice of President Herbert Hoover. At the time of his death, he had been a member of the Arrangements Committee since 1924. He became one of the last of the "old guard" political bosses, carrying a great deal of power that worked in his favor politically and personally. His political influence garnered him the position of president of Connecticut Light & Power, one that came with significant controversy. In January 1936 a streptococcus infection limited him physically, forcing him to abandon much of his political travels and routines. These limitations are believed to have been the cause of his suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his estate in Harwington.
Political leader. He was a powerful Republican party boss who wielded great influence for decades. At age 19 he moved to North Canaan to teach and write for the Canaan Times in order to help pay for law school. His involvement in politics began in his 20s when he would work the polls on Election Day. In 1894 he was named chairman of the North Canaan Republican Town Committee. Four years later he was elected to the Republican State Central Committee. He served several terms but was not a member when elected chairman in 1912. He first became a notable presence on the state political scene when he managed the campaign of gubernatorial candidate Charles A. Goodwin. Goodwin beat out Lt. Governor Everett Lake for the party nomination after a significant internal party fight, though Goodwin lost come Election Day. Having been a member of the National Republican Committee since 1920, Roraback was named a member of the GOP executive committee in 1924. In 1932 he accepted the third vice chairman post on the advice of President Herbert Hoover. At the time of his death, he had been a member of the Arrangements Committee since 1924. He became one of the last of the "old guard" political bosses, carrying a great deal of power that worked in his favor politically and personally. His political influence garnered him the position of president of Connecticut Light & Power, one that came with significant controversy. In January 1936 a streptococcus infection limited him physically, forcing him to abandon much of his political travels and routines. These limitations are believed to have been the cause of his suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his estate in Harwington.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
