William Larrabee (Iowa)
| William Larrabee | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 13th Governor of Iowa | |
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In office January 14, 1886 – February 27, 1890 |
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| Preceded by | Buren R. Sherman |
| Succeeded by | Horace Boies |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 20, 1832 Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | November 16, 1912 (aged 80) Clermont, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
William Larrabee (January 20, 1832 – November 16, 1912) was an American Republican politician from Iowa. He served as the 13th Governor of Iowa from 1886 until 1890.
Larrabee was born in Ledyard, Connecticut, into a family of French Huguenot extraction. His father, Adam Larrabee (1787–1869), was a West Point graduate and an accomplished soldier, who served with distinction in the War of 1812. His mother was Hannah (née Lester).
Larrabee was the seventh of nine children, and grew up on his father's Connecticut farm. He was educated in local schools until the age of 19. At around age 15 Larrabee lost the eyesight in his right eye after a gun he was holding accidentally discharged. As a result, he was unfit for many careers available to young men of his class in New England. Larrabee chose to become a teacher. In 1853, at age 21, he moved to Iowa following an older sister in search of opportunity.
In Iowa, Larrabee taught school for a few years, but soon after his arrival established himself as a successful miller, banker, and farmer in Clermont. He attempted to enlist at the outbreak of the Civil War, but was rejected on account of his disability. Larrabee prospered in business and eventually became of one of the biggest landowners in the state.
Larrabee entered politics in 1867, having bypassed local politics. He was elected to the Iowa Senate as a Republican, after helping organize the newly created party in Iowa. Larrabee was reelected many times, sometimes without even nominal Democratic opposition. While a legislator, Larrabee served on several committees, and eventually came to chair the influential Ways and Means committee.
He was elected as Governor in 1885 succeeding Buren R. Sherman, and served two two-year terms, from January 14, 1886 until February 27, 1890.
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