Illinois. Governor (1953-1961 : Stratton)

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.

From the description of William Grant Stratton correspondence, 1953-1961. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 35785921