Winfield Scott Hammond

Winfield Scott Hammond ( born November 17 1863 in Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts, † December 30, 1915 in Clinton, Louisiana ) was an American politician and in 1915 governor of the state of Minnesota. Between 1907 and 1915 he represented his state in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early years and political rise

Winfield Hammond attended the public schools of his home and then to 1889 Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. After moving to Madelia, Minnesota, he became a teacher. At the same time he studied law. In 1891 he was admitted to the bar, after which he took his new profession and practicing in Saint James.

Hammond was a member of the Democratic Party. In 1892 he applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Congress. From 1895 to 1896, and again from 1900 to 1905 he was district attorney in Watonwan County. In between, he was from 1896 to 1900 a member of the School Board ( State Board of Normal School Directors ).

Congressman and Governor

In 1906 Winfield Hammond was elected as a deputy in the Congress. There he remained for some re- elections of March 4, 1907 to January 6, 1915. On this day he laid down his mandate, to take up the post of governor of Minnesota. In this office he was elected on November 3, 1914. As governor, he campaigned for women's suffrage and other progressive reforms. However, he barely had time to realize his plans. During a visit to Louisiana Governor Hammond died unexpectedly of a meat poisoning.