Albert W. Gilchrist
Encyclopedia
Albert Waller Gilchrist was the 20th Governor of Florida
.
Born in Greenwood, South Carolina
, he attended the United States Military Academy
at West Point
and would have graduated in 1882 but he did not because he was deficient in experimental philosophy after three years. He went on to be a civil engineer, and real estate dealer before settling in Punta Gorda, Florida
to become an orange grower. In 1893 he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives
, serving until 1905. He also served in the Florida state militia until 1898, reaching the rank of brigadier general
, when he left to serve in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War
. He reached the rank of captain in the regular army, before being discharged in 1899. He was elected governor in 1908, taking the oath of office on January 5, 1909. His main focus as governor was public health. He left office on January 7, 1913. He died on May 15, 1926 in New York, New York.
Gilchrist County, Florida
is named for Gilchrist as is the U.S. Route 41
bridge over the Peace River
from Punta Gorda to Port Charlotte, Florida
. A dormitory at Florida State University
is also named after the former governor.
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
Born in Greenwood, South Carolina
Greenwood, South Carolina
Greenwood is a city in and the county seat of Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 22,071 at the 2000 census and had slightly increased to 22,710 according to a 2009 estimate.-Geography:...
, he attended the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
and would have graduated in 1882 but he did not because he was deficient in experimental philosophy after three years. He went on to be a civil engineer, and real estate dealer before settling in Punta Gorda, Florida
Punta Gorda, Florida
Punta Gorda is a city in Charlotte County, Florida, United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates of 2007, the city had a population of 16,762. It is the county seat of Charlotte County and the only incorporated municipality in the county...
to become an orange grower. In 1893 he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives
Florida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at...
, serving until 1905. He also served in the Florida state militia until 1898, reaching the rank of brigadier general
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
, when he left to serve in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. He reached the rank of captain in the regular army, before being discharged in 1899. He was elected governor in 1908, taking the oath of office on January 5, 1909. His main focus as governor was public health. He left office on January 7, 1913. He died on May 15, 1926 in New York, New York.
Gilchrist County, Florida
Gilchrist County, Florida
Gilchrist County is a rural county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 14,437. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 16,402. Gilchrist County has only one traffic light in the entire county and has no road with more than one lane of traffic...
is named for Gilchrist as is the U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
bridge over the Peace River
Peace River (Florida)
The Peace River is a river in the southwestern part of the Florida peninsula, in the U.S.A.. It originates at the juncture of Saddle Creek and Peace Creek northeast of Bartow in Polk County and flows south through Hardee County to Arcadia in DeSoto County and then southwest into the Charlotte...
from Punta Gorda to Port Charlotte, Florida
Port Charlotte, Florida
Port Charlotte is a census-designated place in Charlotte County, Florida, United States. The population was 46,451 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Punta Gorda Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. A dormitory at Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
is also named after the former governor.