John Stuchell Fisher
Encyclopedia
John Stuchell Fisher was Pennsylvania
's 29th Governor, a Republican
.
Fisher was born in South Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania
, in 1867. Fisher graduated from Pennsylvania's Indiana State Normal School
(now Indiana University of Pennsylvania) and began his career as a teacher; he then served as principal for schools in Plumville
and Indiana, Pennsylvania
.
In 1893, Fisher finished his law degree, was admitted into the Pennsylvania Bar
, and set up a private practice. He won his first major office, to the Pennsylvania State Senate
, in 1901, where he served until 1909. Thereafter he would serve on the state's Commission on Constitutional Revision, and from 1919 to 1922 as State Commissioner of Banking. He rose to the Governor's office in 1927.
As governor, Fisher focused on fiscal policy, public works, and conservation. Partly due to his efforts to eliminate voting fraud, the state began using voting machines. The Department of Revenue was established during his term. Fisher's term was marked by a major investment in public works, most notably the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge in Harrisburg. Also during Fisher’s administration, nearly 500000 acres (2,023.4 km²) were added to Pennsylvania’s state forests.
After leaving office, Fisher became a consultant to his son’s law firm. He would also serve on the boards of several financial establishments as well as Indiana Hospital, the State Normal School in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania State College. He died in Pittsburgh in 1940.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
's 29th Governor, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
.
Fisher was born in South Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania
South Mahoning Township, Pennsylvania
South Mahoning Township is a township in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 1,852 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, in 1867. Fisher graduated from Pennsylvania's Indiana State Normal School
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, USA. The university is northeast of Pittsburgh. It is the largest university in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is the commonwealth's fifth largest university...
(now Indiana University of Pennsylvania) and began his career as a teacher; he then served as principal for schools in Plumville
Plumville, Pennsylvania
Plumville is a borough in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 342 at the 2000 census.The borough was originally named for the presence of wild plum trees.-Geography:Plumville is located at ....
and Indiana, Pennsylvania
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Indiana is a borough in and the county seat of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 14,895 at the 2000 census.The borough and the region as a whole promotes itself as the "Christmas Tree Capital of the World" because the national Christmas Tree Grower's Association was...
.
In 1893, Fisher finished his law degree, was admitted into the Pennsylvania Bar
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
, and set up a private practice. He won his first major office, to the Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
, in 1901, where he served until 1909. Thereafter he would serve on the state's Commission on Constitutional Revision, and from 1919 to 1922 as State Commissioner of Banking. He rose to the Governor's office in 1927.
As governor, Fisher focused on fiscal policy, public works, and conservation. Partly due to his efforts to eliminate voting fraud, the state began using voting machines. The Department of Revenue was established during his term. Fisher's term was marked by a major investment in public works, most notably the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge in Harrisburg. Also during Fisher’s administration, nearly 500000 acres (2,023.4 km²) were added to Pennsylvania’s state forests.
After leaving office, Fisher became a consultant to his son’s law firm. He would also serve on the boards of several financial establishments as well as Indiana Hospital, the State Normal School in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania State College. He died in Pittsburgh in 1940.
Sources
- National Governors Association
- Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
- ExplorePAHistory.com
- William Ainsworth Cornell, The Political Career of John S. Fisher, Governor of Pennsylvania 1927-1931 (Indiana, Pennsylvania: MA thesis: State Teachers College, 1947).