John E. Rickards

John Ezra Rickards (* July 23, 1848 in Delaware City, Delaware, † December 25, 1927 in Berkeley, California ) was an American politician and from 1893 to 1897, the second Governor of the State of Montana.

Early years and political rise

John Rickards attended the local schools of his home in Delaware. In 1867 he got his first job as a clerk in Philadelphia ( Pennsylvania). A little later he pulled over Pueblo (Colorado ) to San Francisco in California. There he spent four years engaged in trade. Finally he came in September 1882 Butte in Montana Territory. There he worked in the insurance industry and as an estate agent. He was also active in the oil business.

In 1885, Rickards was elected to the City Council of Butte. Between 1887 and 1889 he was also a member of the Territorial Parliament of Montana. After Montana was admitted as a new state in the United States in November, 1889, Rickards was elected the first Lieutenant Governor of that State. He was Deputy Governor Joseph Toole. In 1892, Rickards was chosen as the candidate of the Republican Party as the new governor of Montana.

Governor of Montana

Rickards ' four-year term began on January 2, 1893. During his reign, the state offices were reorganized, introduced a universal right and a State Education Board ( Board of Education ) was founded. In addition, a law against gambling was adopted. After the end of his tenure, Rickards withdrew from politics. He moved to California, where he devoted himself to his private business. For 18 years he was then employed in San Francisco at the Federal Statistical Office for Civil Development ( Federal census office).

John Rickards died in December 1927. He was married twice and had eight children.