Emmet O'Neal (politician, 1853)

Emmet O'Neal (1913)

Emmet O'Neal (born September 23, 1853 in Florence , Alabama , †  September 7, 1922 ibid) was an American politician and governor of the state of Alabama. He was a member of the Democratic Party .

Early years and political advancement

Emmet O'Neal was the son of Edward A. O'Neal , who served as governor of Alabama between 1882 and 1886. He attended the public schools in Florence and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1873 . He then studied law under the guidance of his father, was admitted to the bar in 1875 and entered into a partnership with his father until he was elected governor. O'Neal then decided to go into politics in 1880 when he was elected to the State Democratic Executive Committee . He served in numerous positions prior to his election to governor, including presidential electorate in 1884 and 1892, delegate to the Alabama Constitutional Convention in 1901, and federal prosecutor between 1893 and 1897.

Governor of Alabama

On November 8, 1910, O'Neal was elected Governor of Alabama with 80.2 percent of the vote against Republican Joseph O. Thompson and sworn in on January 17, 1911. During his tenure, a country school library system was inaugurated, prohibition was lifted and a regional right of pre-sale of spirits was issued. The Oyster Commission and the State Highway Department were created. Laws for the protection of miners and child labor have been improved. Furthermore, O'Neal was the first head of state ( Chief Executive ) who moved into the new governor's residence. His tenure was paralyzed by an embezzlement scandal within his government. O'Neal left office on January 18, 1915 and was appointed a bankruptcy expert . He died on September 7, 1922 in Florence. He was married to Lizzie Kirkman and they had three children together.

Web links

• Emmet O'Neal in the National Governors Association (English)
• Lauderdale County History (English)
• Emmet O'Neal in the database of Find a Grave (English)