Florida. Governor (1881-1885 : Bloxham)

William Dunnington Bloxham was born in Leon County, Florida on July 9, 1835. He attended William and Mary College graduating in 1855 with a law degree. In 1860 Bloxham was elected as a member of the State Legislature. He entered the Army shortly afterwards and became Captain of a Leon County Company, but never saw active service. In 1870 he ran for, and was elected to, the vacated post of Lieutenant Governor, but the State Canvassing Board ruled his election invalid. He served as a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee, and in 1876 was appointed Secretary of State by Governor Drew. In 1880 he was elected Governor defeating Republican Simon B. Conover. In November, 1885, he became United States Surveyor-General for the District of Florida, a position which allowed him to remain active in state politics. In 1890 he was made State Comptroller.

Bloxham was elected for a second term as governor in 1896 in the midst of controversy generated by the farmers' revolt. He endorsed bimetallism and easily defeated the Republican Edward R. Gunby and the People's Party candidate, William A. Weeks. Bloxham's second term was notable for the re-establishment of a State Railroad Commission with enhanced powers in 1897 and the passage of a direct primary law. He guided the state through the Spanish-American War, a conflict which called for an unusual degree of participation from Florida. Bloxham also continued state support of drainage and reclamation projects in South Florida. He died in 1911 in Tallahassee.

From the description of Correspondence, 1897-1901. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414140