Frederic Greenhalge, beloved Republican Governor of Massachusetts
Grand Old Partisan celebrates more than seventeen decades of Republican heroes and heroics. Today, I salute Frederic Greenhalge, born in England, July 19th 1842. Age twelve, the family immigrated to Massachusetts. Denied enlistment during the Civil War because of ill health, this patriot worked as a civilian quartermaster for the army in North Carolina. Peace restored, he studied law. His political career started on the Lowell city council, followed by municipal judge and mayor and state representative. Greenhalge was delegate to the 1884 Republican National Convention. In 1888, he won a congressional term. In 1893, Greenhalge was elected Governor. His administration stressed education and fiscal prudence. He died in office, age fifty-two. "His strong character, his experience in public life, his patriotism, his courage, his leadership, seemed to be almost invaluable to the State." "He had the qualities which ...