George L. Lilley

George Leavens Lilley ( born August 3, 1859 in Oxford, Worcester County, Massachusetts, † April 21, 1909 in Waterbury, Connecticut ) was an American politician and Governor of the State of Connecticut. He was a member of the Republican Party.

Early years and political rise

George Lilley attended the Worcester High School and the Worcester Technical Institute in Massachusetts. Then in 1880 he moved to Waterbury in Connecticut. There he became a successful businessman in the wholesale industry for meat. He was also involved in property development in Waterbury, and Torrington Nangatuck. Later Lilley decided to pursue a political career. He ran in 1901 for a seat in the House of Representatives from Connecticut, where he remained following his successful election until 1903. In 1903 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives then, where he served until 1909.

Governor of Connecticut

Lilley won the 1908 Governor Republican nomination and was elected governor of Connecticut a short time later. During his short tenure, he increased the funding for the public school system. Furthermore, the allocations for a statewide immediate tuberculosis was provided in the budget. Lilleys Administration also advocated ruling monopolies and established an official committee, but both key points were rejected by the legislature.

George L. Lilley died shortly after the beginning of his term on 21 April 1909 and was buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Waterbury.