Fort Towson

Marion E. Hay (December 9, 1865 – November 21, 1933) was an American politician who served as the seventh governor of Washington from 1909 to 1913.

Biography

Born in Adams County, Wisconsin,[1] Hay attended the Bayless Commercial Business College in Dubuque, Iowa. He married Lizzie L. Muir in Jackson on January 16, 1887, and they had six children, Raymond M., Moon M., Edward M., Bruce M., Rance M., Katherine J., and Margaret E.

Career

Hay moved to Washington Territory in 1888,[1] where he opened a store in Davenport, Washington and owned wheat ranches in eastern Washington and Canada. He moved to Wilbur, Washington in 1889[1] and served two terms as mayor of Wilbur from 1898 to 1902, as well as chairman of the Lincoln County Republican Party, and was an alternate to the Republican National Convention in 1900. He relocated to Spokane, Washington in 1908.[1]

In 1908, Hay was elected as Lieutenant Governor of Washington, and he became Governor upon the death of Samuel G. Cosgrove, after only about two months in office in March 1909.[1] He served the remainder of Cosgrove's unexpired term and left office in 1913.[1][2] Focusing on corruption in state government, he called a special session of the legislature to investigate and impeach dishonest state officials.[3] During his administration, the Workman's Compensation law and women's suffrage were enacted.[4]

Defeated for election in 1912, he returned to manage his personal business interests and property holdings, and was chairman of the 12th District Regional Agricultural Credit Corporation.

Death

Hay died of a heart attack at his office on November 21, 1933[1] and is interred at the mausoleum at Riverside Memorial Park, Spokane.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Ex-Governor Hay Dies in Spokane". Daily Capital Journal. November 21, 1933. p. 1. Retrieved September 25, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ Bio Data
  3. ^ "Marion E. Hay". National Governors Association. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  4. ^ "Marion E. Hay". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  5. ^ "Marion E. Hay". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved October 11, 2012.

Further reading

External links

Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Washington
1912
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Washington
1909
Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of Washington
1909–1913
Succeeded by