John McGraw (governor)
Encyclopedia
John Harte McGraw was the second Governor of Washington state.
, Maine
. After running away from home in Maine, McGraw made his way west and ended up in Seattle, taking a job as one of four officers in the Seattle Police Department. He became police chief and later sheriff Sheriff
of King County, Washington
before being elected governor. He served just one term. He served as Republican
Governor January 9, 1893 - January 11, 1897.
In February 1886, as sheriff, he repelled vigilantes who were trying to round up Chinese Americans in Seattle and send them back to China. When the vigilantes arrived in Seattle, he deputized 400 citizens to protect the Chinese. When a ship arrived to take them back to China, he boarded the vessel and said it couldn't leave. McGraw told the Chinese that he would protect those who wished to stay in Seattle. Gunfire erupted, and a bullet went through McGraw's hat and two through his coat, Pattison said. The vigilantes finally ran away. This is noted as being one of his proudest moments.
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 on June 23, 1910 from typhoid fever
.
Biography
McGraw was born in Penobscot CountyPenobscot County, Maine
Penobscot County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. For U.S. Census statistical purposes, it is part of the Bangor, Maine, New England County Metropolitan Area . As of 2010, the population was 153,923...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. After running away from home in Maine, McGraw made his way west and ended up in Seattle, taking a job as one of four officers in the Seattle Police Department. He became police chief and later sheriff Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of King County, Washington
King County, Washington
King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
before being elected governor. He served just one term. He served as Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor January 9, 1893 - January 11, 1897.
In February 1886, as sheriff, he repelled vigilantes who were trying to round up Chinese Americans in Seattle and send them back to China. When the vigilantes arrived in Seattle, he deputized 400 citizens to protect the Chinese. When a ship arrived to take them back to China, he boarded the vessel and said it couldn't leave. McGraw told the Chinese that he would protect those who wished to stay in Seattle. Gunfire erupted, and a bullet went through McGraw's hat and two through his coat, Pattison said. The vigilantes finally ran away. This is noted as being one of his proudest moments.
McGraw, a law graduate, had also been President of Seattle First National Bank and Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
. After leaving office, he made money during the Klondike Gold Rush
Klondike Gold Rush
The Klondike Gold Rush, also called the Yukon Gold Rush, the Alaska Gold Rush and the Last Great Gold Rush, was an attempt by an estimated 100,000 people to travel to the Klondike region the Yukon in north-western Canada between 1897 and 1899 in the hope of successfully prospecting for gold...
, much needed since he had to repay the State $10,000 following an investigation into his term of office.
He died on June 23, 1910 from typhoid fever
Typhoid fever
Typhoid fever, also known as Typhoid, is a common worldwide bacterial disease, transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person, which contain the bacterium Salmonella enterica, serovar Typhi...
.