William Adams (Governor)

William Herbert Adams (born February 15, 1861 in Blue Mounds , Wisconsin , † February 4, 1954 in Alamosa , Colorado ) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ) and from 1927 to 1933 the 24th governor of the state of Colorado.

Early years and political advancement

William Adams was the brother of Alva Adams , who was governor of Colorado several times between 1887 and 1905. He came to Colorado with his family in 1871. His schooling was limited; he acquired most of the knowledge himself.

In 1883 Adam became treasurer of the city of Alamosa; in 1885 he was elected mayor of that city. Then he was district administrator in Conejos County . Between 1886 and 1888 he was also a member of the Colorado House of Representatives and in the State Senate from 1888 to 1927 . On November 2, 1926, he was elected as the Democratic candidate for the new governor of his state.

Governor of colorado

William Adams took up his new office on January 11, 1927. After he was re-elected in 1928 and 1930, he could remain in office until January 10, 1933. This made him the first Colorado governor to serve three consecutive terms. Several new schools and institutes were founded during his tenure. These included the Colorado Agricultural College , Western State College, and Colorado Teacher's College . An existing mining school as well as the University of Colorado were better financed. His third and final term in office was overshadowed by the beginning of the great global economic crisis , the consequences of which also reached Colorado.

After the end of his governorship, Adams withdrew from politics and devoted himself to his private interests. He died in 1954 at the age of almost 93. William Adams was married twice. His nephew Alva B. Adams was a US Senator from 1923 to 1925 and again from 1933 to 1941 .

Web links

• William Adams in the National Governor Association (English)
• William Adams in the database of Find a Grave (English)
• Biography at the Colorado State Archives (English, PDF; 97 kB)