Henry L. Whitfield

Henry Lewis Whitfield (born June 20, 1868 in Rankin County , Mississippi , † March 18, 1927 in Jackson , Mississippi) was an American politician and governor of the state of Mississippi from 1924 to 1927 .

Early years and political advancement

Henry Whitfield attended Mississippi College until 1895 , where he was trained as a teacher. He then studied law at Millsap College . But he didn't work as a lawyer. Instead, he began a successful career in the school sector. After some time as a teacher, he was appointed school commissioner of the state of Mississippi in 1898 by Governor Anselm McLaurin . Henry Whitfield held this office until 1907. From 1907 to 1920 he was President of the Mississippi State College for Women . After that he was head of an agricultural school until 1923. Whitfield became a member of the Democratic Party . In 1923 he was able to prevail in the gubernatorial primary elections against the previous incumbent Theodore Gilmore Bilbo , whereupon he was elected the new governor of his state on November 6 of this year. In this election, women in the state of Mississippi were allowed to vote for the first time.

Mississippi Governor

Henry Whitfield took up his new office on January 22, 1924. During his tenure, the mineral oil tax was increased. The road network was maintained and expanded with the proceeds from this tax. The governor promoted both industry and agriculture of his state. In addition, the dikes along the coast were improved and expanded. In the education sector, a kind of school ministry was created with the Commission of Education . Under Governor Whitfield the national debt was largely reduced. In the winter of 1926 the governor fell ill, but he continued to run the office from his sick bed. All treatments were unsuccessful and Governor Whitfield died in March 1927. His Lieutenant Governor Dennis Murphree ended his term. Henry Whitfield was married to Mary Damper White, with whom he had four children.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Whitfield, Henry L.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Whitfield, Henry Lewis (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	June 20, 1868
PLACE OF BIRTH	Rankin County , Mississippi
DATE OF DEATH	March 18, 1927
Place of death	Jackson , Mississippi