George T. Anthony

George T. Anthony

George Tobey Anthony (born June 9, 1824 in Mayfield , Fulton County , New York , † August 5, 1896 in Topeka , Kansas ) was an American politician and from 1877 to 1879 the seventh governor of the state of Kansas.

Early years and political advancement

George Anthony grew up in his home in New York State and attended public schools there. After the early death of his father, he was in dire need of money and could only attend schools in winter. In the summer he earned his living as a temporary worker on the farms in the area. He later completed an apprenticeship as a tin and coppersmith with his uncle. During the Civil War he was captain of a unit from New York State. By the end of the war he was the Brevet risen -Major.

After retiring from the military in June 1865, he moved to Leavenworth , Kansas. There he was employed by two newspapers. His public service career began in 1867 with the US Tax Department in Kansas. Between 1873 and 1876 he was chairman of the Kansas Agriculture Committee. In 1876 he was nominated by the Republican Party as a candidate for the gubernatorial election.

Kansas Governor

After his successful election, Anthony began his two-year term on January 8, 1877. As governor he was known for his thrift. During his tenure, the first telephone was installed in Kansas. It was also during this period that the last Indian Wars broke out on the territory of this state. A fisheries committee was also established and school reforms initiated during Governor Anthony's reign. A railroad strike in 1877 was overshadowed by a tragic death when the National Guard accidentally shot and killed a clergyman. In 1878, Anthony ran for re-election. But he already failed within his own party, which no longer nominated him.

Another résumé

After the end of his tenure as governor, Anthony continued to participate in public life. From 1881 to 1883 he was head of a Mexican railway company. In 1885 he was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives. Between 1889 and 1893, Anthony was a member of the Railway Committee. In 1892 his attempt to be elected to Congress failed . The last public office he held was in 1895 the post of Insurance Commissioner for the Kansas Government. George Anthony died in 1896 and was buried in Topeka. He was married to Rosa Lyon, with whom he had a child.

Web links

• George Anthony in the National Governors Association (English)
• Biography at the Kansas Historical Society (English)

• George T. Anthony in the database of Find a Grave (English)