William Grant Stratton correspondence, 1953-1961.
Series title: Governor, William Grant Stratton correspondence
Illinois. Governor (1953-1961 : Stratton)Record Series 101.034, Governor's Records, William Grant Stratton Correspondence, Illinois State Archives.William G. Stratton (1914- ), Republican Governor of Illinois (1953-1961), was born on Feb. 26, 1914 at Ingleside, Ill. Stratton, who attended school only five years before high school, graduated from the University of Arizona (1934); married Marion Hook and took a job with Public Service Company of Northern Illinois. Stratton won the Congressman-at-Large seat (1940), and became the youngest member of the House (1941-1943). Returning to state government, Stratton was elected State Treasurer (1943-1944); lost the Secretary of State primary (1944); and served as a naval officer in the South Pacific. After WWII, he won the Congressman-At-Large seat (1946-1948) and lost the Secretary of State race (1948). While out of office, Stratton divorced his wife (1949), and married Shirley Breckenridge (1950). As State Treasurer (1950-1952), Stratton ran successfully for Governor (1952 and 1956) but did not win re-election for a third term. After he left office, Stratton was indicted for income tax violations (1964). Acquitted of these charges, Stratton ran for Governor (1968) and after his primary defeat, became Vice President of the Canteen Corp. Retiring from Canteen when he tuned 70, Stratton became Vice President of the Chicago Bank of Commerce.Correspondence contains appointments and resignations; State Treasurer reports; Attorney General opinions; Secretary of State remittance records; and State Primary Certifying Board reports (1940-1960). Other items include extradition papers; felons' citizenship restorations; grants or denials of executive clemency, pardons, commutations and reprieves; appropriation authorizations; courtesy cards applications; autograph and photograph requests; invitations; and office invoices. There are messages to the General Assembly; Senate confirmation notices; Illinois Central Railroad Board minutes; Spanish-American War Veterans' Fund and First National Bank of Chicago Trustee account statements; proclamations; communication with federal, international or interstate agencies and charitable, social, or cultural organizations. Subjects discussed include swamp lands, land patents and conveyances, lakes, bank closings, constitutional convention plans, and the Brussels World's Fair. Most correspondents are government officials or social and political organization leaders.Stratton, William G., 1914-Governors Illinois Powers and duties.Banks and banking Illinois.Local officials and employees Illinois.People with mental disabilities Illinois.Illinois Politics and government.View this collection description in WorldCat.org: