J. Millard Tawes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

J. Millard Tawes
J. Millard Tawes

54th 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, 1894June 25, 1979), a member of the United States Democratic Party, was the 54th 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

[edit] References

[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