Fred Maltby Warner (July 21, 1865 – April 17, 1923) was an American politician who served as the 26th governor of Michigan from 1905 to 1911. He also served as the 24th Secretary of State of Michigan from 1901 to 1905.

Fred M. Warner
26th Governor of Michigan
In office
January 1, 1905 – January 2, 1911
LieutenantAlexander Maitland
Patrick H. Kelley
Preceded byAaron T. Bliss
Succeeded byChase Osborn
24th Secretary of State of Michigan
In office
1901–1905
GovernorAaron T. Bliss
Preceded byJustus S. Stearns
Succeeded byGeorge A. Prescott
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 12th district
In office
January 2, 1895–1898
Preceded byHarvey Mellen
Succeeded byGeorge Burlingham Davis
Personal details
Born
Fred Maltby Warner

(1865-07-21)July 21, 1865
Hickling, Nottinghamshire, England
DiedApril 17, 1923(1923-04-17) (aged 57)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican

Birth in England and early life in Michigan

edit

Born in Hickling, Nottinghamshire, England, Warner spent most of his life in Michigan. Warner was orphaned at three months of age and adopted by a family in Farmington. His adoptive father, P. Dean Warner, served in both chambers of the state legislature during periods from 1852 to 1870.[1]

He attended the common schools there and later attended the Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University). He worked at his father's store and later, as a Farmington businessman and agriculturist, he established thirteen cheese factories.

Politics

edit

As a prominent citizen he rose quickly in politics in 1894. From 1895 to 1898 he served in the Michigan Senate just as his father did. From 1901 until 1904 he served as the Michigan Secretary of State under Aaron T. Bliss.

In 1904, Warner was elected Governor of Michigan and served three terms, 1905–1911. He was known as a progressive governor advocating such policies as regulation of railroad and insurance, conservation, child labor laws and woman's suffrage. Also during his six years in office, a factory inspection bill was authorized, a direct primary election law was sanctioned and there was a promotion of highway construction.

Retirement and death

edit

After leaving office, he stayed politically active. Warner was a member of the Freemasons, Shriners, Elks, Knights of Pythias, and Maccabees. In 1920, he began serving as a Republican National Committeeman until his death three years later. He died at the age of 57 from kidney failure and is interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Farmington, Michigan.

See also

edit

References

edit

Sources

edit

Further reading

edit
  • Fuller, George, Ed., Messages of the Governors of Michigan, Volume 4 (East Lansing, Michigan: Michigan State University Press) ISBN 0-87013-723-9; ISBN 978-0-87013-723-5.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Michigan
1904, 1906, 1908
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Michigan Secretary of State
1901 – 1904
Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of Michigan
1905–1911
Succeeded by