Illinois. Office of Lieutenant Governor

Sherwood Dixon was born in Dixon, Illinois, on June 19, 1896. He received his elementary and secondary schooling in the local public schools. He attended the University of Notre Dame until he entered military service during World War I. After the war he returned to Notre Dame, where he was awarded the Bachelor of Laws Degree. He entered the Illinois National Guard and served more than twenty years, including active service in World War II. Following that war he took part in the reorganization of the Illinois National Guard and served for a period of time as Commanding Officer of the 129th Infantry. He served as Adlai Stevenson's Lieutenant Governor and then ran for Governor against William Stratton in 1952, but was defeated. After quitting state politics he continued his private legal practice in Dixon. He married Helen M. Cahill of Dixon.

From the description of Sherwood Dixon campaign file, 1952. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 35950854

Under all of the state's constitutions the Lieutenant Governor has been the first official in the line of succession fo the Office of Governor in case that office becomes vacant because of death, impeachment, or some other cause. The Lieutenant Governor also served as chief presiding officer of the Senate until the Constitution of 1970 removed that responsibility.

George H. Ryan is Illinois' 36th Secretary of State. He served in the General Assembly for ten years. From 1977 to 1981 he was House Republican Leader, and from 1981 to 1983 he served as Speaker of the House. He then was elected to two terms as Lieutenant Governor. Ryan has worked to promote up-to-date yet cost-effective services for the consumers and busniesses of Illinois.

From the description of George H. Ryan administrative files, 1981-1989. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 36056152

Sherwood Dixon was born in Dixon, Illinois, on June 19, 1896. He received his elementary and secondary schooling in the local public schools. He attended the University of Notre Dame until he entered military service during World War I. After the war he returned to Notre Dame, where he was awarded the Bachelor of Laws Degree. He entered the Illinois National Guard and served more than twenty years, including active service in World War II. Following that war he took part in the reorganization of the Illinois National Guard and served for a period of time as Commanding Officer of the 129th Infantry. He served as Adlai Stevenson's Lieutenant Governor and then ran for Governor against William Stratton in 1952, but was defeated. After quitting state politics he continued his private legal practice in Dixon. He married Helen M. Cahill of Dixon.

John W. Chapman was born on September 8, 1894, in Crete, Nebraska. He attended Chicago public schools, was graduated from the University of Chicagoin 1915, and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Chicago in 1917. He worked for several years as secretary to Judge Charles M. Thomson of the Illinois Appellate Court. He then took up private law practice in Chicago until moving to Springfield in 1941. While in Chicago he was elected to the city council. Because courageous stands on several controversial issues, he was recognized as one of seven outstanding aldermen by the Municipal Voters League.

In 1939 Chapman ran for City Clerk at the time when Dwight Green was the Republican candidate for Mayor. Although that election was lost, they both received so much favorable attention that Green became the Republican nominee for Governor in 1940. So when Green won that election Chapman accompanied him to Springfield in 1941, where he served as Executive Secretary for eight years. Chapman was appointed a member of the Illinois Parole Board in 1949. He served on the board until March of 1950. Chapman served as Lieutenant Governor for two terms. He was married to the former Eva Richolson.

From the description of Expense ledger, 1949-1959. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 35950764