William Lewis Douglas, American businessman and politician, 42nd Governor of Massachusetts (d. 1924)
William Lewis Douglas (August 22, 1845 – September 17, 1924) was a American businessman and politician from Massachusetts. He served as the 42nd Governor of Massachusetts from 1905 until 1906. He also founded and oversaw the growth of the W. L. Douglas Shoe Company, a highly successful Brockton, Massachusetts business that became one of the world's largest shoe manufacturers. He also opened the first nationwide chain of shoe stores devoted to selling the company's products.
Douglas received a minimal education and was apprenticed into the shoe trade. In 1876, he established his business, which grew rapidly over the next twenty years. He entered politics as a supporter of labor and an opponent of socialism, and funded his 1904 campaign for governor. In addition to labor causes, he supported reciprocity and tariff reductions in trade with Canada. He refused to run for reelection, and returned to his business.
1845Aug, 22
William Lewis Douglas
Choose Another Date
Events on 1845
- 11Mar
Treaty of Waitangi
Flagstaff War: Unhappy with translational differences regarding the Treaty of Waitangi, chiefs Hone Heke, Kawiti and Māori tribe members chop down the British flagpole for a fourth time and drive settlers out of Kororareka, New Zealand. - 13Mar
Violin Concerto (Mendelssohn)
Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto receives its première performance in Leipzig with Ferdinand David as soloist. - 19May
Franklin's lost expedition
Captain Sir John Franklin and his ill-fated Arctic expedition depart from Greenhithe, England. - 13Oct
United States Congress
A majority of voters in the Republic of Texas approve a proposed constitution that, if accepted by the U.S. Congress, will make Texas a U.S. state. - 20Nov
Battle of Vuelta de Obligado
Anglo-French blockade of the Río de la Plata: Battle of Vuelta de Obligado.