For the lieutenant governor of Idaho, see F. B. Willis.
Frank Bartlett Willis (December 28, 1871 – March 30, 1928) was an American politician and lawyer. He was a Republican from Ohio. He served as the 47th governor of Ohio from 1915 to 1917, then served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio from 1921 until his death in 1928.
Born on a farm near the hamlet of Lewis Center, Ohio, Willis was the son of a Civil War veteran, Vermont-born J.B. Willis and his wife Lavinia A. (Buell). Willis graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1894. After teaching at Ohio Northern for twelve years, Willis was admitted to the bar and began practicing law. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1900 to 1904 while teaching at Ohio Northern school of law, and was subsequently elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1910, serving from 1911 to 1915. Elected to the governorship in 1914, he served one two-year term from 1915 to 1917, but was not re-elected, being defeated by James M. Cox, whom he had defeated in 1914. Cox also defeated Willis in 1918.
After placing Warren Harding's name in nomination at the 1920 Republican National Convention, Willis was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1920, replacing Harding, who then resigned his Senate seat to take the presidency, allowing Willis to take his seat early. During his Senate tenure, Willis served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Territories and Insular Possessions, which had jurisdiction over territories including Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico, from 1923 to 1928.
Willis wanted to be Ohio's favorite son candidate for the presidency in 1928.[1] He died in office that year at Gray Chapel, Ohio Wesleyan University, in Delaware, Ohio, during a Republican Party event for his candidacy organized by the Delaware County Willis-for-President Club. He was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Legacyedit
Willis's official papers were donated to and are open for research at the Ohio History Center.
Frank B. Willis Education Center (formerly Intermediate School and High School) of Delaware City Schools is named in his honor.
Willis was married to Allie Dustin, and they had one daughter named Helen.[2]
frank, willis, lieutenant, governor, idaho, willis, frank, bartlett, willis, december, 1871, march, 1928, american, politician, lawyer, republican, from, ohio, served, 47th, governor, ohio, from, 1915, 1917, then, served, senator, from, ohio, from, 1921, until. For the lieutenant governor of Idaho see F B Willis Frank Bartlett Willis December 28 1871 March 30 1928 was an American politician and lawyer He was a Republican from Ohio He served as the 47th governor of Ohio from 1915 to 1917 then served as a U S Senator from Ohio from 1921 until his death in 1928 Frank B Willis47th Governor of OhioIn office January 11 1915 January 8 1917LieutenantJohn Holmes ArnoldPreceded byJames M CoxSucceeded byJames M CoxUnited States Senatorfrom OhioIn office January 14 1921 March 30 1928Preceded byWarren G HardingSucceeded byCyrus LocherMember of the U S House of Representatives from Ohio s 8th districtIn office March 4 1911 January 9 1915Preceded byRalph D ColeSucceeded byJohn A KeyMember of the Ohio House of Representatives from the Hardin County districtIn office January 1 1900 January 3 1905Preceded byN R PiperSucceeded byJ B PumphreyPersonal detailsBornFrank Bartlett Willis 1871 12 28 December 28 1871Lewis Center OhioDiedMarch 30 1928 1928 03 30 aged 56 Delaware OhioResting placeOak Grove Cemetery Delaware OhioPolitical partyRepublicanSpouseAllie DustinChildren1EducationOhio Northern University BA Contents 1 Biography 2 Legacy 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksBiography editBorn on a farm near the hamlet of Lewis Center Ohio Willis was the son of a Civil War veteran Vermont born J B Willis and his wife Lavinia A Buell Willis graduated from Ohio Northern University in 1894 After teaching at Ohio Northern for twelve years Willis was admitted to the bar and began practicing law He served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1900 to 1904 while teaching at Ohio Northern school of law and was subsequently elected to the U S House of Representatives in 1910 serving from 1911 to 1915 Elected to the governorship in 1914 he served one two year term from 1915 to 1917 but was not re elected being defeated by James M Cox whom he had defeated in 1914 Cox also defeated Willis in 1918 After placing Warren Harding s name in nomination at the 1920 Republican National Convention Willis was elected to the U S Senate in 1920 replacing Harding who then resigned his Senate seat to take the presidency allowing Willis to take his seat early During his Senate tenure Willis served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Territories and Insular Possessions which had jurisdiction over territories including Alaska Hawaii the Philippines and Puerto Rico from 1923 to 1928 Willis wanted to be Ohio s favorite son candidate for the presidency in 1928 1 He died in office that year at Gray Chapel Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware Ohio during a Republican Party event for his candidacy organized by the Delaware County Willis for President Club He was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery Legacy editWillis s official papers were donated to and are open for research at the Ohio History Center Frank B Willis Education Center formerly Intermediate School and High School of Delaware City Schools is named in his honor Willis was married to Allie Dustin and they had one daughter named Helen 2 See also editList of United States Congress members who died in office 1900 49 References edit How Favorite Son Politics Works The Pittsburgh Press January 12 1928 via Google News Archive Search Mercer James K Rife Edward K 1903 Representative men of Ohio 1900 1903 Columbus James K Mercer p 168 External links edit nbsp Media related to Frank B Willis at Wikimedia Commons United States Congress Frank B Willis id W000561 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Frank B Willis amp oldid 1177716703, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
