Illinois. Governor (1929-1933 : Emmerson)

Louis Lincoln Emmerson, (1863-1941), Republican Governor of Illinois (1929-1933), was born on Dec. 27, 1863 at Albion, Ill. Emmerson's formal education ended with high school graduation, he married Anna Mathews (1887) and moved to Mount Vernon to take a job as a furniture store clerk. Eventually he became a partner in the furniture store and founded the Boston Store. Emmerson served as an alderman, school board president and helped organize the Third National Bank, serving as bank Treasurer and President for 28 years. As Republican county chairman, Emmerson served briefly as a member of the State Board of Equalization and as Menard Penitentiary Trustee. After losing the nomination for state treasurer in 1912, Emmerson attended the first of his ten Republican National Conventions. He was elected Secretary of State (1916-1928) and although he sought the Governship in 1924, Emmerson did not obtain that office until 1928. As Governor, Emmerson attempted to revive the reform movement but the Depression created problems which required immediate attention. Since Emmerson had been 65 when inaugurated, he became concerned about his health when he suffered a mild stoke and did not seek re-election. Emmerson retired to Mount Vernon, where he died on Feb. 4, 1941.