John McGraw (governor)

John Harte McGraw (October 4, 1850 – June 23, 1910) was an American attorney, businessman, and politician who served as the second governor of Washington from 1893 to 1897.

John McGraw
McGraw circa 1890
2nd governor of Washington
In office
January 11, 1893 – January 13, 1897
LieutenantF. H. Luce
Preceded byElisha P. Ferry
Succeeded byJohn Rankin Rogers
Personal details
Born
John Harte McGraw

(1850-10-04)October 4, 1850
Penobscot County, Maine, U.S.
DiedJune 23, 1910(1910-06-23) (aged 59)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Signature

Biography

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McGraw was born in Penobscot County, Maine. He served as Republican governor January 9, 1893 - January 11, 1897. Previously he was chief of the Seattle Police Department[1] and was also sheriff of King County, Washington during the Seattle riot of 1886.

McGraw, a law graduate, had also been President of Seattle First National Bank and Seattle Chamber of Commerce. After leaving office, he made money during the Klondike Gold Rush, much needed since he had to repay the State $10,000 following an investigation into his term of office.

He died from typhoid fever in Seattle on June 23, 1910.[2]

A bronze statue of McGraw sculpted by Richard E. Brooks in 1913 stands at McGraw Square in Seattle.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "McGraw, John H. (1850-1910)". www.historylink.org. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "M'Graw Has Passed Away". Spokane Chronicle. June 24, 1910. p. 12. Retrieved October 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Gilmore, Susan (February 9, 2011). "Downtown park, statue honor man who stood up to a mob". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 6, 2015.

Further reading

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Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Washington
1892
Succeeded by
Potter C. Sullivan
Political offices
Preceded by Governors of Washington
1893– 1897
Succeeded by