James P. Goodrich
| James P. Goodrich | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 29th Governor of Indiana | |
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In office January 8, 1917 – January 10, 1921 |
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| Lieutenant | Edgar D. Bush |
| Preceded by | Samuel M. Ralston |
| Succeeded by | Warren T. McCray |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 18, 1864 Winchester, Indiana |
| Died | August 15, 1940 (aged 76) Winchester, Indiana |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Cora Frist |
| Religion | Christianity (Presbyterianism) |
James Putnam Goodrich, (February 18, 1864 – August 15, 1940), a Republican, was the 29th Governor of Indiana from 1917 to 1921. His term focused on reforming the operations of the state government and overseeing the state's contributions for World War I. He nearly died twice during his term, and spent a considerable time bedridden. Following his term as governor, he became increasingly wealthy from his business interests and owned a controlling share in many companies.
James Putnam Goodrich was born on February 18, 1864 in Winchester, Indiana, the son of John Baldwin and Elizabeth Edger Goodrich. His father was an attorney and suffered from tuberculosis; he died in 1872. Goodrich attended public schools and intended to enter the US Naval Academy. He earned an appointment to the school, but he suffered a severe hip injury after falling out of a tree ending his prospect for a career in the military and forcing him to decline the offer.
Goodrich taught in Randolph County public schools for two years to save money for college. He then enrolled in DePauw University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. In college he became friends with Albert J. Beveridge who influenced him to be involved in politics. After attending college for two years, he was forced to quit for lack of funds, and began to study law with Enos Watson, the father of his classmate James E. Watson.
Admitted to the bar in 1887, Goodrich practiced law in Winchester and quickly gained prominence in Republican politics. He was involved in a variety of organizations including the Knights of Labor, the Grange Movement, Knights of Pythias, and the Republican Party. In 1897 he became chairman of the Randolph County Republican Party and was later elevated to serve as state chairman from 1901 to 1910 and a national committeeman from 1912 to 1916. His time in party leadership was difficult for him as the party was wracked by a growing internal division over various progressive agenda items. Charles W. Fairbanks was trying to lead the party to the right, while Albert J. Beveridge was trying to pull the party to the left. Despite Goodrich's attempts to heal the division, the conflict between the two men split the party in 1912, as the progressive wing left to form a new party.
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