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Higher Office(s) Served: President, Vice President

JOHN CALVIN COOLIDGE, the fiftieth governor of Massachusetts, was born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont on July 4, 1872. His education was attained at the Black River Academy, at St. Johnsbury Academy, and at Amherst College, where he graduated in 1895. After establishing his legal career in Northampton, Massachusetts, Coolidge entered into politics. He served as a member of the Northampton Common Council in 1899, was the city solicitor from 1900 to 1901, served as the clerk of courts in 1903, and was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1907 to 1909. He also served as the mayor of Northampton from 1910 to 1911, was a member of the Massachusetts State Senate from 1913 to 1915, and served as the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts from 1915 to 1919. In 1918, Coolidge secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and then went on to win election to the governorship. He was reelected to a second term in 1919. During his tenure, state agencies were restructured; the budget system was initiated; teacher's salaries were improved; workmen's compensation benefits were raised; and women and children's work hours were changed. Also, a Boston police strike was dealt with. After completing his term, Coolidge left office on January 6, 1921.  He continued to stay politically active, serving as vice president of the United States from 1921 to 1923. On August 3, 1923, President Warren G. Harding passed away, and Coolidge, who was vice president at the time, was sworn into office. He was elected to his own presidential term in 1924, serving in that capacity until March 4, 1929. Governor Calvin Coolidge passed away on January 5, 1933, and was buried in the Plymouth Notch Cemetery in Plymouth, Vermont.

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.

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