Historical Society celebrates 50th year of Highland House Museum
Lead Summary
By
-
By Pamela Nickell
HCP columnist
This is the 42nd article in a series from the Highland County Historical Society featuring members of the Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame and recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Highland House Museum.
Joseph Benson Foraker
1846-1917
Joseph Benson Foraker was a soldier, lawyer, orator, senator and governor of Ohio.
He was born near Rainsboro and raised at the Foraker Mill, which had been built by his grandparents.
In 1861, he moved to Hillsboro to live with his uncle, James Reece, who was the Highland County auditor. Foraker worked as a clerk in the auditor’s office and learned to work with attorneys and politicians.
After serving in the Civil War, Foraker attended Ohio Wesleyan University and Cornell University.
He settled in Cincinnati and became one of Ohio’s leading attorneys.
In 1885, he was elected governor of Ohio.
During his administration, the Ohio Board of Health and Board of Pardons for prisons were established. He sponsored bills requiring the registration of voters and the Dow Law, which regulated alcohol. He also formed non-partisan election boards in Ohio’s larger cities.
Foraker served two terms as governor and in 1897 succeeded Calvin S. Bryce as U.S. senator from Ohio. He served as senator until 1908.
On May 7, 1917, Foraker experienced a heart attack in downtown Cincinnati.
Taken home, he lapsed in and out of consciousness for three days before passing away on May 10, 1917. Numerous prominent Ohioans attended his interment at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.
HCP columnist
This is the 42nd article in a series from the Highland County Historical Society featuring members of the Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame and recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Highland House Museum.
Joseph Benson Foraker
1846-1917
Joseph Benson Foraker was a soldier, lawyer, orator, senator and governor of Ohio.
He was born near Rainsboro and raised at the Foraker Mill, which had been built by his grandparents.
In 1861, he moved to Hillsboro to live with his uncle, James Reece, who was the Highland County auditor. Foraker worked as a clerk in the auditor’s office and learned to work with attorneys and politicians.
After serving in the Civil War, Foraker attended Ohio Wesleyan University and Cornell University.
He settled in Cincinnati and became one of Ohio’s leading attorneys.
In 1885, he was elected governor of Ohio.
During his administration, the Ohio Board of Health and Board of Pardons for prisons were established. He sponsored bills requiring the registration of voters and the Dow Law, which regulated alcohol. He also formed non-partisan election boards in Ohio’s larger cities.
Foraker served two terms as governor and in 1897 succeeded Calvin S. Bryce as U.S. senator from Ohio. He served as senator until 1908.
On May 7, 1917, Foraker experienced a heart attack in downtown Cincinnati.
Taken home, he lapsed in and out of consciousness for three days before passing away on May 10, 1917. Numerous prominent Ohioans attended his interment at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati.