14 Facts About Josiah Begole

Josiah Williams Begole was an American politician serving as a US Representative from 1873 to 1875 and the 19th governor of Michigan from 1883 to 1885.

Josiah Begole's ancestors were French Huguenots who emigrated to the United States in the last quarter of the 18th century to escape religious persecution and settled in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Josiah Begole attended the public schools in Mount Morris and Temple Hill Academy in Geneseo, New York.

Josiah Begole moved to Flint, Michigan in August 1836 and taught school in 1837 and 1838.

Josiah Begole engaged in agricultural pursuits from 1839 to 1856 and was school inspector, justice of the peace and township treasurer.

Josiah Begole was briefly engaged in the lumber business in 1863.

Josiah Begole was a member of the Michigan Senate in 1870 and 1871, and a member of the Flint City Council for three years.

Josiah Begole was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Philadelphia in 1872 to re-nominate US President Ulysses S Grant and to nominate Henry Wilson as the new Vice President.

Josiah Begole was elected as a Republican from Michigan's 6th congressional district to the United States House of Representatives for the 43rd Congress, serving from March 4,1873, to March 3,1875.

Josiah Begole later engaged in the manufacture of wagons founding Flint Wagon Works and engaged in banking.

In 1882, Josiah Begole was gubernatorial candidate of the Greenback and Democratic parties, defeating the Republican incumbent David Jerome by over 7,000 votes.

Josiah Begole ran for re-election in 1884, but was defeated by Republican Russell Alger, after which he resumed his former business activities.

Josiah Begole was an early activist for women's suffrage, and in 1884 Begole became vice president of the first statewide suffrage organization, the Michigan Equal Suffrage Association.

Josiah Begole died at the age of eighty-one in Flint and is interred in Glenwood Cemetery there.