William Cameron Sproul

William Cameron Sproul (born September 16, 1870 in Colerain Township , Lancaster County , Pennsylvania , † March 21, 1928 ) was an American politician and from 1919 to 1923 the 28th governor of the state of Pennsylvania.

Early years and political advancement

William Sproul attended Chester High School and Swarthmore College . After school he worked in various fields. He bought the Chester Times newspaper and later the Morning Republican, also published in Chester . Both newspapers were published by him. Sproul also got into the railroad and banking business and was active in shipbuilding and the iron industry. Because of his business activities, he became a millionaire over time.

Between 1896 and 1918, Republican Sproul was a member of the Pennsylvania Senate . During this time he served twice as President of the House. In the Senate he supported the expansion of the roads. During this time he was also chairman of the historical commission of Pennsylvania and president of the Union League of Philadelphia . In 1918, after 22 years in the State Senate, he was elected the new governor.

Governor of Pennsylvania

William Sproul took up his new office on January 21, 1919. His first task was to overcome the consequences of the First World War. Production in Pennsylvania had to be cut back to meet civilian needs. The returning soldiers were reintegrated into society. The wounded and war invalids had to be cared for as well as the relatives of soldiers who died in the war. In Pennsylvania, roads were expanded on a large scale during Sproul's tenure to cope with the oncoming traffic. Another project was the reforestation of the forests that had been cleared for industrial needs in the decades before. This project was entrusted to Gifford Pinchot , who would later become Sproul's successor as governor. Education was also promoted by Sproul. The administration was reformed and a new Public Welfare Department was established.

In 1919 and 1922 the governor had to deal with labor disputes by steel workers and miners. In both cases he sent the National Guard to restore order. However, he contributed to the resolution of the conflicts by setting up negotiating commissions. Between 1919 and 1922, Sproul was the first Pennsylvania governor to become chairman of the National Governors Association . In 1920 his party offered him the nomination for the American vice presidency alongside Warren G. Harding . But Sproul refused.

After the end of his tenure, Sproul returned to his business interests. He was a member of a philosophical society and took care of humanitarian affairs. He died in March 1928. William Sproul was married to Emeline Roach, with whom he had two children.

literature

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

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personal data
SURNAME	Sproul, William Cameron
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	September 16, 1870
PLACE OF BIRTH	Colerain Township , Pennsylvania
DATE OF DEATH	March 21, 1928