Frank S. Black

Frank Swett Black (March 8, 1853 near Limington, Maine - March 22, 1913 Troy, New York) was an American newspaper editor, lawyer and politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1895 to 1897, and the 32nd Governor of New York from 1897 to 1898.

Life

He was one of eleven children of Jacob Black, a farmer, and Charlotte B. Black. He graduated from Lebanon Academy in 1871, and then taught school for several years. With the money thus earned, he managed to enter Dartmouth College in 1875.

Out of college, he moved to Johnstown, New York, and was employed as editor of the Johnstown Journal. As an ardent follower of his fellow-Mainian James G. Blaine, he changed the political stance of the paper while the Democratic owner was out of town, but was promptly dismissed upon the latter's return. He then moved to Troy, New York, and worked for the Troy Whig and the Troy Times. At the same time he studied law, and was admitted to the bar.

Black was elected as a Republican to the 54th United States Congress, and served from March 4, 1895, to January 7, 1897, when he resigned.

He was Governor of New York, elected in 1896 on the Republican ticket, and was in office from 1897 to 1898. In 1898, he fought for re-nomination at the Republican state convention, but was defeated by the Party machine leaders who had Theodore Roosevelt nominated. Afterwards he resumed the practice of law.

He is one of two New York governors who were cremated (the other was Nelson Rockefeller).

References

• Frank S. Black at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• EX-GOV. BLACK DIES AT HIS TROY HOME in NYT on March 22, 1913

External links

• Texts on Wikisource:
  • Governor Black's Balance-Sheet
  • Our New Civil Service Law