William Sherman Jennings

William Sherman Jennings ( born March 24, 1863 in Walnut Hill, Marion County, Illinois, † February 27, 1920 in St. Augustine, Florida ) was an American politician and from 1901 to 1905 the 18th Governor of the State of Florida.

Early years and political rise

William Jennings grew up in his home in Illinois. He attended local schools and then studied law in Chicago. In 1885, he came to Florida, where he opened a law office in Brooksville. 1888 Jennings belonged to the court in Hernando County. 1893 and 1895 he was elected to the House of Representatives from Florida; in 1895 he was president of that body. From the Democratic Party nominee for top candidates, he won the gubernatorial election in 1900.

Governor of Florida

William Jennings ' four-year term began on January 8, 1901. During his reign the area code system in Florida has changed. Until then, party meetings had determined the candidates for public office. From now on, the candidates were elected in primaries. This system corresponds to the practice of the U.S. presidential primaries, only at a lower level. Jennings campaigned for the preservation of public land. He made ​​an attempt, smaller parts of the Everglades dry out and settle.

Due to a constitutional clause Jennings could not be re-elected in 1904 directly. Therefore, he resigned from his office on January 3, 1905. Subsequently, he was appointed administrator of the state funds to improve infrastructure. He was also a member of various committees. William Jernnings died in February 1920. He was twice married and had a child.