Arizona
Gov. Rawghlie Clement Stanford
- January 4, 1937 - January 2, 1939
- Democrat
- August 2, 1879
- December 15, 1963
- Texas
- Married Ruth Butchee; six children
- Army
About
RAWGHLIE CLEMENT STANFORD was born in Buffalo Gap, Texas, on August 2, 1879. In 1881, he moved with his parents to Phoenix Arizona, where he was educated in public schools, and attended the Arizona Normal School for two years. During the Spanish-American War, Stanford enlisted in the Army and served in the Philippines for 18 months. Returning to Arizona, he studied law, was admitted to the Arizona bar in 1907, and in 1915 was elected to the Superior Court bench in Maricopa County, serving until 1922. Stanford served on the Board of Education for Phoenix Union high School from 1920 to 1936, and was chairman of the State Democratic Central Committee from 1928 to 1929. On November 3, 1936, Stanford was elected Governor of Arizona, and on January 4, 1937, was sworn into office. During his term, Stanford dealt with the restoration of Arizona’s economy, which deteriorated during the Great Depression. Also, the Federal Social Security Act was established, a minimum-wage law was passed, and unfair sales practices were banished. Declining to run for reelection, Stanford left office on January 2, 1939. He returned to the bench, serving on the Arizona Supreme Court from 1942 to 1944, and serving as chief justice from 1944 to 1953. Stanford died on December 15, 1963, and is buried in Phoenix, Arizona.
Source
Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 1, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.
Rawghlie Stanford Webpage Updated May 3, 2002
