Martin Frederick Ansel

Martin Frederick Ansel ( born December 12, 1850 in Charleston, South Carolina; † August 23, 1945 in Greenville, South Carolina ) was an American politician and from 1907 to 1911 Governor of South Carolina.

Early years and political rise

Martin Ansel was the son of an immigrant family from Württemberg. He grew up in a place called Walhalla, South Carolina. He also visited the elementary school. After studying law he was admitted to the bar in 1870. Thereafter, he practiced for several years in Franklin, North Carolina. before he opened a practice in Greenville, South Carolina. Ansel was a member of the Democratic Party. From 1882 to 1888 he was a deputy in the regional parliament of South Carolina. After that, he was until 1901 Attorney at 8th Judicial District of the country. In 1902, he tried unsuccessfully to the top candidate of his party for the gubernatorial elections.

Governor of South Carolina

In 1906 he was nominated by his party but for the gubernatorial elections and elected on November 6 of that year, unopposed by the voters in this office. His re- election on November 3, 1908 was also unopposed. Overall, it was January 15, 1907 to January 17, 1911 for Governor of South Carolina. During this time, the early 1890s, introduced by Benjamin Ryan Tillman state alcohol monopoly was abolished. It was the individual districts ( counties ) free to decide whether they wanted to enact a total ban on alcohol ( Prohibition ) or not. By 1909, 20 out of 41 counties had opted for the Prohibition. Ten years later, the prohibition should be a constitutional amendment federal law in the United States. This law was abolished in 1933 because it was unworkable and had to organized crime given a major boost by alcohol smuggling. Under Governor Ansel the school system was reorganized. Universities that were previously under the supervision of subordinate administrative units such as counties or municipalities have now reports directly to the state administration. At that time many new schools were established. In 1908, the electric chair replaced the "hanging" as a method of execution from.

More life

After the expiration of his second term Ansel could run because of a constitutional provision no third related term. He then took his lawyer in Greenville again. Martin Ansel died in August 1945 at the age of 94 years. He was married twice and had three children.