William Gregory (Rhode Island governor)

William Gregory (August 3, 1849 – December 16, 1901) was an American politician who served as the 46th Governor of Rhode Island.

William Gregory
46th Governor of Rhode Island
In office
May 29, 1900  December 16, 1901
Lieutenant GovernorCharles Kimball
Preceded byElisha Dyer, Jr.
Succeeded byCharles D. Kimball
Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island
In office
1898–1900
Preceded byAram J. Pothier
Succeeded byCharles Kimball
Personal details
Born(1849-08-03)August 3, 1849
Astoria, Queens
DiedDecember 16, 1901(1901-12-16) (aged 52)
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Resting placeElm Grove Cemetery, North Kingstown
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Harriet Vaughan
ProfessionMill owner

Early life

Gregory was born in Astoria, Long Island, New York on August 3, 1849. He attended high school in Westerly, Rhode Island, and became superintendent of a mill in Providence before he was 21.[1]

Career

Before entering politics, Gregory was as a wool mill owner in Wickford.[1] He later served as president and Director of Wickford National Bank, Director of two Providence banks, and Chairman of the Board of State Charities and Corrections.

Political life

Gregory served as Lieutenant Governor for two terms (1898-1900), and then served as Governor for one full term, and had been re-elected for a second term at the time of his death,[1] from May 29, 1900 to December 16, 1901. During his administration, the state constitution was amended to move the capital from Newport to Providence. The new marble State House was opened in Providence, and Gregory became the first governor to occupy it. Gregory was an active member of the Freemasons.[2]

Personal life

In 1875 Gregory married Harriet Vaughan, daughter of Syria B. Vaughan, a merchant of Wickford.[1] They had two children, Albert Winsor and Mary Louise.[1]

Gregory was known to have suffered from Bright's disease for many years.[1] He had been ill for "some time," but seemed to be recovering at the time of his death.[1] He died on December 16, 1901, at his home in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, having recently won re-election to a second term of office.[1]

Notes

  1. "Rhode Island's Governor William Gregory Passed Away at His Home in North Kingstown". Newport, Rhode Island. Newport Mercury. 21 December 1901. p. 1. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  2. The Political Graveyard: Freemasons, politicians, Rhode Island at politicalgraveyard.com

Sources

  • Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2
Party political offices
Preceded by
Elisha Dyer Jr.
Republican nominee for Governor of Rhode Island
1900, 1901
Succeeded by
Charles D. Kimball
Political offices
Preceded by
Elisha Dyer, Jr.
Governor of Rhode Island
19001901
Succeeded by
Charles D. Kimball
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