Samuel M. Ralston

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Samuel Moffett Ralston
28th Governor of Indiana
In office January 13, 1913 – January 8, 1917
Preceded by	Thomas R. Marshall
Succeeded by	James P. Goodrich
United States Senator
In office March 4, 1923 – October 14, 1925
Preceded by	Arthur Raymond Robinson
Succeeded by	Harry S. New
Born	December 1, 1857 - October 14 New Cumberland, Ohio
Died	October 14, 1925 Lebanon, Indiana
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mary Josephine Backous, Jennie Crave[1]
Religion	Presbyterian[2]

Samuel Moffett Ralston (December 1, 1857 - October 14, 1925) was governor of the U.S. state of Indiana from 1913 to 1917.

[edit] Biography

Ralston was born near New Cumberland, Ohio, on December 1, 1857. As a boy he attended school in Owen County, Indiana. He later graduated from Central College in Danville, Indiana in 1884 having completed a scientific course. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1886. He married Jennie Craven on December 30, 1889.

He began his practice in Lebanon that same year. He served as president of the Lebanon School Board from 1908 to 1911.

He was elected governor of Indiana in 1907 defeating Albert Beveridge and served from January 13, 1913 to January 8, 1917. Under his administration the state's park system was created . He also created the public service commission and the Indiana Historical Commission. Also supported and passed during his adminsitration was the inheritance tax law, vocational training law, workingmen's compensation act, and the primary election law.

In 1924 he was the front runner and expected to be the Democratic presidential nominee, but for unknown reasons he dropped out of the race just before the national convention.

He was elected to the United States Senator from Indiana again defeating Albert Beveridge. He served from March 4, 1923 until his death on October 14, 1925, he had been ill for several weeks. He was buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Samuel M. Ralston at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Indiana Historical Bureau: Biography and portrait
• http://www.ruralhistoryproject.com/reports.asp?F=1&ReportID=14
• Indian County History - Ralston Biography
• Governors Association

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v • d • e United States Senators from Indiana Class 1: Noble • Hanna • Tipton • White • Bright • Wright • Turpie • T. Hendricks • Pratt • McDonald • Harrison • Turpie • Beveridge • Kern • New • Ralston • Robinson • Minton • Willis • Jenner • Hartke • Lugar Class 3: Taylor • W. Hendricks • Smith • Hannegan • Whitcomb • Cathcart • Pettit • Fitch • Lane • Morton • Voorhees • Fairbanks • Hemenway • Shively • Taggart • Watson • Van Nuys • Jackson • Jenner • Capehart • Bayh II • Quayle • Coats • Bayh III