Rollin Simmons Woodruff (July 14, 1854 – June 30, 1925) was an American politician and the 62nd governor of Connecticut.
Biography
Woodruff was born in Rochester, New York on July 14, 1854.[1] He was the son of Jeremiah Woodruff, who was a minister; and Clarissa "Clorise" Thompson Woodruff.[2] He was educated in the public schools of Rochester and New Haven.[3] He married Kaomeo E. Perkins on January 14, 1880,[4] and they had three children, all of whom died young.
Career
Woodruff was a successful businessman and was involved in several banks and corporations. He was a director of the Mechanics Bank of New Haven, the Connecticut Savings Bank, and the Connecticut Computing Machine Company. He was vice president of the Federal Adding Machine Company. In addition, Woodruff was president of Grace Hospital of New Haven and C. S. Mersick Company, a manufacturer and wholesaler of heavy hardware, railroad supplies, machinist supplies and other metal products.[5][6][7]
Beginning in 1896 became active in the state militia, and in 1899 he was appointed aide-de-camp to Governor George E. Lounsbury with the rank of colonel.[8]
In 1902 he became a member of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
A Republican, he was elected to one term in the Connecticut State Senate in 1903, and was chosen the Senate's President pro tempore.[9]
He was President of New Haven's Chamber of Commerce from 1905 to 1907.[10]
Woodruff became the 71st Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in 1905. He held that position until 1907.[11]
Winning the 1906 Republican gubernatorial nomination, Woodruff became the Governor of Connecticut on January 9, 1907. During his term, he vetoed several acts of the legislature, arguing that they were too costly. Woodruff remained active in his business. He became a member of the Union League Club. He also served as a member of the New Haven Young Men's Republican Club.[11]
Death
Woodruff died in Guilford Center, Connecticut on June 30, 1925, exactly two weeks short of his 71st birthday.[12] He is interred at Evergreen Cemetery, New Haven, Connecticut.
References
- ^ Taylor, William Harrison (1919). The One Hundredth Anniversary of the First Meeting of the General Assembly. Hartford, CT: Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co. p. 86.
- ^ Cutter, William Richard (1913). New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, Volume 3. New York, NY: Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 1564.
- ^ Wesleyan University Bulletin, Issues 61-80. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University. 1925. p. 20.
- ^ "Rollin S. Woodruff". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ^ Hill, Everett Gleason (1918). A Modern History of New Haven and Eastern New Haven County, Volume 2. New York, NY: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 68.
- ^ Warner, Donald J. (1922). Connecticut State Register and Manual. Hartford, CT: Lockwood & Brainard Co. p. 336.
- ^ Chadwick, Earl Leslie (1909). The Conservative Advocate: A Book of Biographies of Connecticut's Successful Men. Hartford, CT: Transcript Press. p. 3.
- ^ Geer, Elihu (1899). Geer's Hartford City Directory, Volume 62. Hartford, CT: Hartford Printing. p. 651.
- ^ Taylor, William Harrison (1903). Taylor's Legislative History and Souvenir of Connecticut, Volume 4. Hartford, CT: R. S. Peck & Co. p. 25.
- ^ "Rollin S. Woodruff". NNDB Soylent Communications. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ^ a b "Rollin S. Woodruff". National Governors Association. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ^ Cutter, William Richard (1926). American Biography: A New Cyclopedia, Volume 26. Washington, DC: American Historical Society. p. 5.
Further reading
- Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2
External links
- Rollin Simmons Woodruff entry at the National Governors Association
- Rollin Simmons Woodruff entry at The Political Graveyard
- Rollin S. Woodruff at Find a Grave
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