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Frederic Thomas Greenhalge
Massachusetts

Gov. Frederic Thomas Greenhalge

  • January 4, 1894 - March 5, 1896
  • Republican
  • July 19, 1842
  • March 5, 1896
  • Other
  • Harvard University
  • Married Isabel Nesmith; four children
  • Died in office
  • Representative
  • Union Army

About

FREDERIC T. GREENHALGE, the fortieth governor of Massachusetts, was born in Clithoroe, Lancashire, England on July 19, 1842. After immigrating to the United States, his family settled in Lowell, Massachusetts. Greenhalge’s early education was attained in the Lowell public schools, and later at Harvard University, however he never graduated. He later studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1865, and then established his legal career, serving as judge of the Lowell Police Court from 1874 to 1884. Greenhalge entered politics in 1880, serving as mayor of Lowell, a position he held again in 1881. He also served as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1885, and was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1889 to 1891. Greenhalge secured the 1893 Republican gubernatorial nomination, and then went on to win election to the Massachusetts governorship on November 7, 1893. During his tenure, the first patriots day was enacted; the remainder of the Civil War debt was paid off; and an unemployment mob protest was successfully dealt with. While in office, Governor Frederic T. Greenhalge passed away on March 5, 1896. He was buried in the Lowell Cemetery in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Source

Sobel, Robert and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

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