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LEWIS O. BARROWS, the fifty-seventh governor of Maine, was born in Newport, Maine on June 7, 1893. His early education was attained in the public schools of his native state, and later at the University of Maine. Barrows entered politics, serving as the treasurer of Newport, a position he held twelve years. He also served as a Republican state committeeman in 1926, was a member of the governor's executive council from 1927 to 1933, and served as Maine's secretary of state from 1935 to 1936. Barrows won the 1936 Republican gubernatorial nomination, and then went on to win the general election by a popular vote. He was reelected to a second term in 1938. During his tenure, federal funding was secured and used for the construction of new bridges, highways and public buildings. Also, the state deficit was reduced, the budget was balanced, the state school fund was improved, old-age benefits payments were reinstated, and the Maine Development Commissions' duties were increased. After completing his term, Barrows left office on January 1, 1941, and retired from political life. He stayed active, working for the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Boston. Governor Lewis O. Barrows passed away on January 30, 1967 in Pittsfield, Maine.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

The Political Graveyard

Newport History

Governors of Maine--compiled by the Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library