Phineas C. Lounsbury

Phineas Chapman Lounsbury (January 10, 1841 - June 22, 1925) was an American politician and the 53rd Governor of Connecticut.

Early life

Lounsbury was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut on January 10, 1841. He got only minimal education. However, he prospered in the business world. He partnered with his brothers, George E. Lounsbury, and founded two successful shoe factories - the Lounsbury Brothers Inc., a shoe factory and Lounsbury, Matthewson, and Company.

Politics

Lounsbury became a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1874 and held that position till 1876. He became the Governor of Connecticut in 1886. He was elected governor by a legislative decision. During his term, he signed the Incorrigible Criminal Act. He did not run for re-election and retired from public service.

Later life

After serving as the Governor of Connecticut, he returned to his business and served as president of the Connecticut Merchants Exchange National Bank. His brother, George Edward Lounsbury, also became the Governor of Connecticut from 1899 to 1901. In 1883, he built a Great Camp, Echo Camp, on Raquette Lake in the Adirondack. He died on June 22, 1925.

Sources

• Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2