John H. Trumbull

John Harper Trumbull (March 4, 1873 – May 21, 1961) was an American politician who served as the 70th Governor of Connecticut.

John H. Trumbull
70th Governor of Connecticut
In office January 8, 1925 – January 7, 1931
Lieutenant	J. Edwin Brainard Ernest E. Rogers
Preceded by	Hiram Bingham III
Succeeded by	Wilbur Lucius Cross
79th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut
In office January 7, 1925 – January 8, 1925
Governor	Hiram Bingham III
Preceded by	Hiram Bingham III
Succeeded by	J. Edwin Brainard
Member of the Connecticut Senate
Personal details
Born	March 4, 1873 Ashford, Connecticut
Died	May 21, 1961 (aged 88) Hartford, Connecticut
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Maud Pierce Usher ​ (m. 1903)​
Relations	John Coolidge (son-in-law)
Children	2
Military service
Branch/service	Connecticut National Guard
Rank	Colonel

Early life

Trumbull was born in Ashford, Connecticut son of Hugh Homer Trumbull (1847–1922) and Mary Ann (Harper) Trumbull (1849–1923). Despite his name, he was not related to the previous governors of Connecticut of the same name, but was the son of Irish immigrants who moved to Ashford in the early 1870s to run a farm. The family later moved to Plainville, Connecticut. Trumbull did not attend college.[1]

Career

As a partner with his brother, Henry and one other man, Frank T. Wheeler, in 1891, he formed the Trumbull Electric Company, which produced electrical supply parts including porcelain fixtures, switchboards and panels. He served as President of that company from 1911 to 1944.[2] It later became part of General Electric.[3] He also was board chairman of Colonial Air Transport, Incorporated; director and treasurer of Plainville Realty Company; president of Plainville Trust Company; and director of Connecticut Light & Power Company (Eversource Energy).[4]

Trumbull joined the First Connecticut Infantry in 1891, finally reaching the rank of colonel in the State Guard. He was a Republican.[5] Trumbull served in the Connecticut Senate. He served as President pro tempore of the Connecticut Senate.

Elected the 79th lieutenant governor in November 1924, Trumbull held that office from January 7 to January 8, 1925, as the governor, Hiram Bingham III, resigned after one day as a governor to become a U.S. Senator. Trumbull had learned to pilot his own airplanes and was dubbed "The Flying Governor" because he often flew into Robertson Field Airport in Plainville.[6]

Trumbull was a conservative Republican and made sure to balance the State budget. He also sought to assist Connecticut's businesses. During his terms in office, the government started a building program and worked at improving the roads of the State. He sponsored an aviation development, and launched numerous construction projects. He was re-elected as governor two times, in 1926 and 1928, but chose not to run for reelection in 1930. He left the office on January 7, 1931. However, he ran for the office again in 1932, but was defeated by his successor, Democratic incumbent Wilbur Cross.

Trumbull continued to oversee his business interests. He also served as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention from Connecticut in 1920 as Alternate. Organizer and president, Trumbull Electric Manufacturing Co.; board chairman, Colonial Air Transport, Inc.; director and treasurer, Plainville Realty Co.; president, Plainville Trust Co.; director, Connecticut Light & Power Co.; delegate to Republican National Convention from Connecticut, 1920 (alternate), 1924, 1928, 1932, and 1936. He stayed active as vice president of the Connecticut Humane Society and the Connecticut Historical Society.[7]

Personal life

Trumbull was married on November 28, 1903, to Maud Pierce Usher (1874–1963), and they had two daughters:[1]

• Florence Trumbull (1904–1998), who married John Coolidge (1906–2000),[8] son of President Calvin Coolidge[9]
• Jean Usher Trumbull (1910–1994) who married Alaric R. Bailey of Jamestown, New York

Trumbull died in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 21, 1961. He is interred at West Cemetery, Plainville, Connecticut.

References

1. "John H. Trumbull". NNDB Soylent Communications. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
2. "John H. Trumbull". NNDB Soylent Communications. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
3. http://www.cthistoryonline.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/cho/id/2587/rec/1
4. "John H. Trumbull". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
5. http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/trumbull.html
6. "John H. Trumbull". Connecticut State Library. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
7. "John H. Trumbull". National Governors Association. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
8. "Plymouth Artisan Cheese". 2010. Archived from the original on 2010-06-15. Retrieved 2010-06-26.
9. Martin, Douglas (June 4, 2000). "John Coolidge, Guardian of President's Legacy. Dies at 93". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-06-25.

External links

• Office of the Governor: John Harper Trumbull at Connecticut State Library
• John H. Trumbull at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard
• National Governors Association
• Connecticut State Library