J. Millard Tawes

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J. Millard Tawes
54^th Governor of Maryland
Preceded by	Theodore R. McKeldin
Succeeded by	Spiro T. Agnew

Born	May 8, 1894 Crisfield, Maryland
Died	June 25, 1979 (aged 85)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Helen Avalynne Gibson
Children	Philip and Jimmie Lee (Tawes) Wilson
Residence	Crisfield, Maryland

John Millard Tawes (May 8, 1894 – June 25, 1979), a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 54^th Governor of Maryland in the United States from 1959 to 1967. He remains the only Marylander to be elected to the three positions of State Treasurer, Comptroller, and Governor.

Born in Crisfield, Maryland, Tawes received his early education in the Somerset County, Maryland public schools. After graduation, he attended a business college, majoring in banking and accounting, and earned a living working in lumbering and canning firms. Tawes married Helen Avalynne Gibson on December 25, 1915 and had two children, Philip and Jimmie Lee.

In 1938, Tawes was elected Maryland State Treasurer and was re-elected in 1942. Under Tawes, the state budget of Maryland nearly quadrupled in just six years. He ran for governor of Maryland in 1946, but lost to challenger William Preston Lane, Jr.. He served as State Banking Commissioner from 1947 to 1950, at which time he was appointed to be the state Comptroller. He served in that position until 1958.

Tawes ran again for the gubernatorial office in 1958 and was elected successfully. As governor, Tawes was a champion of new industry and bringing jobs to Maryland. He worked towards prohibiting discrimination, creating government jobs and reforming the state education aid system. Tawes concluded his two term tenure as governor in 1967.

Tawes died on June 25, 1979 in his hometown of Crisfield.

He is mentioned in a line of the musical play Hairspray.

[edit] Building dedications

J. Millard Tawes Historical Museum in Crisfield, Maryland. [1]
Tawes Fine Arts Building at the University of Maryland, College Park. [2]
Tawes Theatre at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.
J. Millard Tawes College Center at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland
The Hytche Athletic Center in Princess Anne, MD, on the campus of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore was formerly known as J. Millard Tawes Gym.
Tawes Hall at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland

[edit] References

J. Millard Tawes biography from the Maryland State Archives. Accessed Oct 25, 2004.
Some information or images have been taken from a non-password protected section of the Maryland State Archives. This is copyrighted but may be legally reproduced as long as credit is given. See citation policy.

[edit] External links

Preceded by William S. Gordy, Jr.	Comptroller of Maryland 1939–1947	Succeeded by James J. Lacy
Preceded by James J. Lacy	Comptroller of Maryland 1950–1959	Succeeded by Louis L. Goldstein
Preceded by Theodore McKeldin	Governor of Maryland 1959—1967	Succeeded by Spiro Agnew
Preceded by John Luetkemeyer	Treasurer of Maryland 1973—1975	Succeeded by William S. James