Ohio Governor. While teaching school and writing for a newspaper, he earned enough money to attend college, studied law, was admitted to the in 1878, then opened a law office in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a member of the Cleveland City Council, (1885-88), Chairman of the Board for the Society for Savings Bank, (1886-94). He also organized a number of companies, including Quaker Oats and was Director of Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation. He was a member of the staff of Ohio Governor William McKinley, a leading member of the Republican State National Committee and played an influential role in McKinley’s election as President of the United States. In 1904, he was elected as a Republican the 42nd Governor of Ohio, serving until 1906. As Governor, he vetoed legislation designed to permit race track betting and forced changes in a local liquor option refusing to support plans for prohibition of alcohol in Ohio. After leaving office, returned to his business affairs and accepted appointment by President William Howard Taft as Ambassador to France, serving (1912-14) and again as Ambassador to France, in 1921, serving until his death.

Ohio Governor. While teaching school and writing for a newspaper, he earned enough money to attend college, studied law, was admitted to the in 1878, then opened a law office in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a member of the Cleveland City Council, (1885-88), Chairman of the Board for the Society for Savings Bank, (1886-94). He also organized a number of companies, including Quaker Oats and was Director of Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation. He was a member of the staff of Ohio Governor William McKinley, a leading member of the Republican State National Committee and played an influential role in McKinley’s election as President of the United States. In 1904, he was elected as a Republican the 42nd Governor of Ohio, serving until 1906. As Governor, he vetoed legislation designed to permit race track betting and forced changes in a local liquor option refusing to support plans for prohibition of alcohol in Ohio. After leaving office, returned to his business affairs and accepted appointment by President William Howard Taft as Ambassador to France, serving (1912-14) and again as Ambassador to France, in 1921, serving until his death.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith