William Sherman Jennings

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Jennings

William Sherman Jennings (born March 24, 1863 in Walnut Hill , Marion County , Illinois , † February 27, 1920 in St. Augustine , Florida ) was an American politician and from 1901 to 1905 the 18th  governor of the state of Florida.

Early years and political advancement

William Jennings grew up in his home in Illinois. He attended the schools there and then studied law in Chicago . In 1885 he came to Florida where he opened a law firm in Brooksville . In 1888 Jennings was a member of the Hernando County Court . In 1893 and 1895 he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives; in 1895 he was President of this Chamber. Nominated as a candidate by the Democratic Party , he won the gubernatorial elections in 1900 by a clear margin over Republican Matthew B. MacFarlane.

Florida governor

William Jennings' four-year term began on January 8, 1901. Under his administration, the Florida pre-election system was changed. Until then, party meetings had determined the candidates for public office. From now on the candidates were elected in primary elections. This system corresponds to the practice of the American presidential primaries, only at a lower level. Jennings was committed to the preservation of public land. He made an attempt to drain and colonize smaller parts of the Everglades .

Due to a constitutional clause, Jennings could not be re-elected directly in 1904. Therefore, he resigned on January 3, 1905 from his office. As a result, he was appointed administrator of the state fund for the improvement of infrastructure. He was also a member of various commissions. William Jennings died in February 1920. He was married twice and had one child. He was also the cousin of the prominent Democratic politician William Jennings Bryan .

literature

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

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Jennings, William Sherman
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH March 24, 1863
PLACE OF BIRTH Walnut Hill , Illinois
DATE OF DEATH February 27, 1920
Place of death St. Augustine , Florida