Governor George Lawson Sheldon

GEORGE L. SHELDON, the fifteenth governor of Nebraska, was born in Nehawka, Nebraska, on May 31, 1870. His education was attained at the University of Nebraska, where he graduated in 1892, and at Harvard University, where he studied for one year. During the Spanish-American War, he served as captain of the 3 rd Nebraska Volunteer Infantry. Sheldon first entered politics as a member of the Nebraska State Senate, a position he was elected to in 1902 and 1904. Sheldon next secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by a popular vote in November 1906. He was sworn into office on January 3, 1907. During his tenure, a state railway commission was established; a direct primary law was sanctioned; free railroad passes were eliminated; and railway passenger rates were reduced. After completing his term Sheldon left office and moved to Mississippi. He continued to stay politically active, serving as a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, a position he held from 1920 to 1924. He also served as the collector of internal revenue for Mississippi from 1930 to 1933. Governor George L. Sheldon passed away on April 4, 1960, and was buried in the Greenville Cemetery in Greenville, Mississippi.