Thomas Gordon McLeod

Thomas Gordon McLeod ( born December 17, 1868 in Lynchburg, Lee County, South Carolina, † December 11, 1932 in Bishopville, South Carolina ) was an American politician and 1923-1927 Governor of the State of South Carolina.

Early years and political rise

Thomas McLeod attended Wofford College until 1892. After a subsequent law degree, he was admitted to the bar in 1896. Then he opened a law office in Bishopville. Between 1900 and 1902 McLeod was a deputy in the House of Representatives from South Carolina. The next four years to 1906 he sat in the state Senate. Under Governor Martin F. Ansel, who served 1907-1911, McLeod was its vice- governor. Prior to the gubernatorial elections of 1922, he sat down within the Democratic Party against the controversial ex-governor Coleman Livingston Blease by. In the actual election on November 7, 1922, he then was unopposed and was therefore chosen as the new governor. Two years later he was again confirmed unopposed in this office.

Governor of South Carolina

In his four -year tenure McLeod sat very one for tax reform. But this failed due to opposition of the Parliament. Like his predecessors, he promoted the education of his country. He campaigned for equal rights and struck in 1924 for the first time in the United States a woman as Deputy Governor before. The financing of the highway system in South Carolina on user fees goes back to him. In 1926, the Constitution of South Carolina has been amended, that the term of office of a governor was extended from two years to four years. But no related terms more were possible. Otherwise, the term McLeod was uneventful. In 1926, he was not standing for re- election and so he resigned on January 18, 1927 from office.

Another Journey

In the following years, McLeod has worked in various functions. He also served as district representative of a life and accident insurance, director of Bishopville National Bank and president of the telephone company of Bishopville. Thomas McLeod died in December 1932. He was married to Elizabeth Alford, with whom he had four children.