Louis Lincoln Emmerson

Louis Lincoln Emmerson (* December 27, 1863 in Albion, Illinois, † February 4, 1941 in Mount Vernon, Illinois ) was an American politician and from 1929 to 1933 the 27th Governor of the State of Illinois.

Early years and political rise

Louis Emmerson attended local schools in Albion. In 1883 he moved to Mount Vernon, where he went into the trading business. In 1901 he was instrumental in the founding of the Third National Bank. In 1912, Emmerson applied unsuccessfully for the post of Finance Minister of Illinois. Four years later he became the successor of Lewis Stevenson Secretary of State in government in Illinois - an office which he held for twelve years. In 1928 he was nominated by the Republican Party for the office of governor and then sat down with 56.8 percent of the vote to Democrat Floyd Thompson by.

Governor of Illinois

Emmersons four-year term began on January 14, 1929., The main problem of his government should be the global economic crisis, which spread as a result of the New York stock market crash of October 1929, the entire U.S. and the Western world. During his tenure, the crisis could not be tackled decisively. It was not until the New Deal policies of President Franklin D. Roosevelt should initiate a turnaround from 1933. But that was after Emmersons leaving the office of governor. Nevertheless, some promising measures have already been initiated. For example, increased fuel taxes. With the income the further expansion of the road network was advanced, which was a job creation scheme during the economic crisis at the same time. The penalties for tax debtors were reduced and a committee to combat unemployment was called to life. It succeeded Emmerson to get federal grants for the under construction waterway between Lake Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico. On the other hand, he had to cut because of the crisis and government programs and spending. During his tenure, the gang war in Chicago reached its climax with the massacre on Valentine's Day 1929. As a result, the power of gang leaders, especially degraded by Al Capone. This has been indicted for tax evasion and sentenced to a long prison sentence. He should never return to Chicago. However, the complete destruction of the organized crime did not succeed. Nevertheless, at least in the open street violence subsided significantly. In 1930 the population of Illinois had risen to 7.6 million. In 1920 it had still been 6.5 million. In 1932, at the height of the economic crisis, Emmerson decided not to re- run for the governorship. Therefore, he resigned from his post on January 9, 1933.

Another Journey

After the end of his term he retired from politics and devoted himself to his private affairs. He could still see how the economy of the state recovered under the influence of the New Deal, and how the political skies over Europe and Japan grew dark and headed for a world war, who was in Europe since 1939 already underway. But he did not live to the U.S. involvement in the war, because he died in February 1941. Louis Emmerson was married to Ann Matthews. Together they had two children.