Representative George Leavens Lilley

George Leavens Lilley (August 3, 1859 – April 21, 1909) was an American politician who served as a United States Representative from Connecticut’s at-large district from 1903 to 1909 and as the 63rd governor of Connecticut. A member of the Republican Party, he was active in state and national politics during a significant period in American history, contributing to the legislative process over three terms in Congress and later holding the state’s highest executive office.

Lilley was born on August 3, 1859, in Oxford, Massachusetts. He attended the public schools of his native town and, as a young man, moved to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he would establish his business and political career. In Waterbury he engaged in the retail grocery business and later became involved in real estate and banking, activities that helped him gain prominence in the community and laid the groundwork for his entry into public life.

Lilley’s early political involvement developed out of his local business and civic activities in Waterbury. As he became a recognized figure in the city’s commercial and social circles, he aligned himself with the Republican Party, which dominated Connecticut politics in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. His growing reputation as a businessman and party loyalist led to increasing responsibilities within Republican ranks and positioned him for higher office.

In 1903 Lilley was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives from Connecticut’s at-large district. He served three consecutive terms in Congress, holding office from March 4, 1903, to March 3, 1909. During this period he participated in the democratic process at the federal level and represented the interests of his Connecticut constituents at a time of rapid industrial growth and political change in the United States. As a member of the House of Representatives, George Leavens Lilley contributed to the legislative process during his three terms in office, working within the Republican majority that shaped national policy in the early years of the twentieth century.

Lilley’s congressional service coincided with a significant era in American history, marked by the Progressive movement, debates over regulation of industry, and expanding federal authority. Within this context, he took part in deliberations on issues affecting both Connecticut and the nation, including matters related to commerce, infrastructure, and economic development. His role as an at-large representative required him to consider the needs of the entire state rather than a single district, reinforcing his statewide profile and strengthening his standing within the Republican Party.

At the conclusion of his third term in Congress in 1909, Lilley transitioned from federal to state leadership when he became the 63rd governor of Connecticut. His elevation to the governorship reflected both his legislative experience and his prominence in state politics. As governor, he brought to the executive office the perspective of a former congressman and businessman, seeking to apply his understanding of public finance and administration to the management of state affairs.

Lilley’s tenure as governor was brief, as his health declined soon after he assumed office. He died in Hartford, Connecticut, on April 21, 1909, while still serving as governor. His death ended a political career that had spanned local business leadership, three terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1903 to 1909, and service as the 63rd governor of Connecticut.