Louis Lincoln Emmerson

Louis L. Emmerson
27th Governor of Illinois
In office
January 14, 1929  January 9, 1933
Lieutenant Fred E. Sterling
Preceded by Len Small
Succeeded by Henry Horner
24th Secretary of State of Illinois
In office
January 8, 1917  January 14, 1929
Governor Frank O. Lowden
Lennington Small
Preceded by Lewis Stevenson
Succeeded by William J. Stratton
Personal details
Born Louis Lincoln Emmerson
(1863-12-27)December 27, 1863
Albion, Illinois, U.S.
Died February 4, 1941(1941-02-04) (aged 77)
Mount Vernon, Illinois, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Ann Mathews
Signature

Louis Lincoln Emmerson (December 27, 1863 – February 4, 1941) was a Republican and the twenty-ninth governor of Illinois. He was born in Albion, Illinois on December 27, 1863. After completing his education in the Albion public school system, Emmerson moved to Mount Vernon, Illinois in 1883, and established a career in the mercantile business. He also was influential in the organization of the Mount Vernon Third National Bank, which occurred in 1901. Emmerson entered politics in 1912, as an unsuccessful candidate for state treasurer. However, four years later, he was victorious in his election for secretary of state, an office he held for twelve years. Emmerson won the 1928 Republican gubernatorial nomination by a margin of 63% to 37% over the incumbent governor, the corrupt Len Small, and was sworn into the governorship on January 14, 1929.

During his tenure, he faced mounting difficulties resulting from the Great Depression. Taxpayers were granted some relief when legislation was adopted that eased penalties on overdue taxes and allowed for the issuance of emergency bonds. Also, a motor fuel-tax was instituted and used for improvements in the highway system, the first unemployment commission was initiated, and federal grants were sanctioned for the completion of the Lakes-to-the-Gulf Waterway. Emmerson did not seek reelection and left office on January 9, 1933, retiring from politics. Governor Louis L. Emmerson died on February 4, 1941, and was buried at the Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

References

This article incorporates facts obtained from: Lawrence Kestenbaum, The Political Graveyard 

Campaigns

Political offices
Preceded by
Lewis Stevenson
Illinois Secretary of State
1917  1929
Succeeded by
William J. Stratton
Preceded by
Len Small
Governor of Illinois
19291933
Succeeded by
Henry Horner
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