Samuel Ralston

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Samuel Ralston

Samuel Moffett Ralston (born December 1, 1857 in New Cumberland , Tuscarawas County , Ohio , †  October 14, 1925 in Lebanon , Indiana ) was an American politician and between 1913 and 1917 the 28th governor of Indiana.

Early years

Samuel Ralston came to Indiana with his parents in 1865, where they settled in Owen County . There he attended the local schools, the Northern Indiana School in Valparaiso and until 1885 the Central Normal College in Danville . After studying law, he was admitted to the bar in 1886, whereupon he opened a law firm in Lebanon. As a member of the Democratic Party , Ralston was one of the electors in the presidential elections in 1888 and 1892. In 1898 he ran unsuccessfully for the office of Secretary of State of Indiana and in 1908 he missed the desired nomination of his party as the top candidate for the gubernatorial elections. Between 1908 and 1912 he was chairman of the Lebanon city school committee. Then, in 1912, he was elected the new governor of Indiana. He prevailed against the Republican ex-Governor Winfield T. Durbin .

Indiana Governor

Ralston began his four-year term on January 13, 1913. During this time the Indian Historical Commission was founded. A public service commission and a highway commission have also been set up. The establishment of the state parks in Indiana ( State Park System ) was also planned and started. A state farm was also established where inmates were employed with less lengthy sentences. Finally, new labor laws and the Primary Election Law were introduced.

Further career

After his tenure ended in January 1917, Ralston returned to practice as a lawyer. In 1922 he was elected to the US Senate . He stayed there until his death in 1925. At the Democratic National Convention in 1924, Ralston was the favorite for the Democratic presidential nomination. To the surprise of all party members, he turned down the nomination, which then went to John W. Davis . Presumably his state of health was the reason for this cancellation; in fact, he died a year later. He was buried in Lebanon. Samuel Ralston was married twice and had three children in total.

literature

  • Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

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personal data
SURNAME Ralston, Samuel
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Ralston, Samuel Moffett (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician, governor of Indiana
DATE OF BIRTH December 1, 1857
PLACE OF BIRTH New Cumberland , Ohio
DATE OF DEATH October 14, 1925
Place of death Lebanon , Indiana