George L. Lilley

George Leavens Lilley (August 3, 1859 – April 21, 1909) was a United States Representative and the 63rd Governor of Connecticut.

George Leavens Lilley
63rd Governor of Connecticut
In office
January 6, 1909  April 21, 1909
LieutenantFrank B. Weeks
Preceded byRollin S. Woodruff
Succeeded byFrank B. Weeks
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Connecticut's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1903  January 5, 1909
Preceded byDistrict established
Succeeded byJohn Q. Tilson
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
In office
1901–1903
Personal details
BornAugust 3, 1859
Oxford, Massachusetts
DiedApril 21, 1909 (aged 49)
Hartford, Connecticut
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Anna E. H. Steele (1861-1940)
ChildrenFrederick Lilley, John Lilley, Theodore Lilley
Alma materWorcester Technical Institute
Professionrealtor, politician

Biography

Born in Oxford, Massachusetts Lilley was the son of John Leavens Lilley and Caroline W. (Adams) Lilley. He attended the common schools of Oxford, the Worcester High School, and Worcester Technical Institute. He moved to Waterbury, Connecticut in 1881 and engaged in mercantile pursuits and the real estate business. He married Anna E. H. Steele on June 17, 1884.[1] The couple had three sons, Frederick, John, and Theodore.[2]

Career

A member of Connecticut Republican State Committee from 1901 to 1909, Lilley also served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1901 to 1903.

Lilley was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-eighth, Fifty-ninth, and Sixtieth Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1903 to January 5, 1909.[3] He did not seek renomination in 1908, having become a candidate for Governor. By resolution of the House of January 20, 1909, the seat was declared to have been vacated on January 6, 1909 for the reason that incumbent had entered upon the duties of the office of Governor of Connecticut the preceding day, however this only occurred because Lilley submitted his letter of resignation to the Governor of Connecticut instead of the Speaker of the House.[4]

Lilley won the 1908 Republican gubernatorial nomination, and was elected Governor of Connecticut. During his short tenure, he increased funding for the public school system and appropriations were budgeted for a statewide movement against tuberculosis. He also endorsed governing monopolies and establishing a public service commission, but both issues were defeated by the legislature.[5]

Death

Lilley was Governor of Connecticut from January 6, 1909 until his death on April 21, 1909 in Hartford; he was interred at Riverside Cemetery, Waterbury, Connecticut.[6] He was a member of the Union League.

References

  1. "George L. Lilley". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  2. "George L. Lilley". NNDB Soylent Publications. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  3. "George L. Lilley". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  4. "George L. Lilley". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  5. "George L. Lilley". National Governors Association. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  6. "George Leavens Lilley". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Rollin S. Woodruff
Republican nominee for Governor of Connecticut
1908
Succeeded by
Charles A. Goodwin
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
District established
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Connecticut's at-large congressional district

March 3, 1903 – January 5, 1909
Succeeded by
John Q. Tilson
Political offices
Preceded by
Rollin S. Woodruff
Governor of Connecticut
1909
Succeeded by
Frank B. Weeks
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