Lyman U. Humphrey

Lyman Underwood Humphrey ( born July 25, 1844 in New Baltimore, Ohio; † September 12, 1915 in Independence, Kansas ) was an American politician and from 1889 to 1893, the eleventh governor of the state of Kansas.

Early years and political rise

Lyman Humphrey attended the local schools of his home. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he broke the high school to join the army. During the war, he took part in numerous battles. Among other things, he was also involved in the capture of Atlanta in Georgia and the advance of the Union through the South under General William T. Sherman. He also suffered some injuries. In July 1865, he was honorably retired from the army. He then continued his education. He attended Mount Union College and studied at the University of Michigan law. In 1868 he was admitted as a lawyer. After moving to the Shelby County, Missouri, he became a teacher and editor of a newspaper there. In 1871 he came to Independence, Kansas, where he founded the newspaper " Tribune Independence ". Two years later he opened a law office.

Humphrey was a member of the Republican Party. His political career began in 1876 with his election to the House of Representatives of Kansas. After the resignation of Lieutenant Governor Melville J. Salter in 1877, Humphrey was elected to this office. In the elections of 1878 he was appointed in this position. He was from 1877 to 1881 Vice- Governor (Lieutenant Governor ) of Kansas. After a brief stint as a judge Humphrey was elected in 1884 in the state Senate and became its President. This mandate he held until 1889. His party nominated him for the gubernatorial elections of 1888 as their candidate.

Governor of Kansas

After the successful election Humphrey could take up his post on 14 January 1889. After his re-election in 1890 he was able to complete a four -year term. During this time there were internal political unrest due to the existing Kansas Prohibition Act, but which remained in force. In those days arose from the Farmers' Alliance, the Populist Party, which campaigned for social and then was very popular in Kansas. In 1890, the new party won the majority in the state parliament. At that time, the eight-hour day was introduced for all employees in the public service of the country Kansas. At the same time the first Monday was declared in September of each year as a day of work on the holiday. The population of Kansas grew rapidly. Governor Humphrey promoted the agriculture of his country.

After the end of his tenure, Humphrey worked as a lawyer again. An attempt to be elected to Congress was, in 1892, failed. Lyman Humphrey died in September 1915. He was buried in Independence. Humphrey was married to Amanda Leonard, with whom he had two children.