Lister, Ernest, 1870-1919

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Ernest Lister was born in Halifax, England on June 15, 1870. His family immigrated to the United States in 1884 to be near Lister's uncle, who was Mayor of Tacoma, WA. Lister operated a foundry and woodworking shop in Tacoma and won election to the Tacoma City Council in 1894 as a Populist. After managing John Rogers' successful gubernatorial campaign, he was appointed chairman of the State Board of Control, giving him authority over the State's welfare institutions. He and Rogers both joined the Democratic Party in 1900, and he made an unsuccessful bid for the general election and Lister won the election. Lister was the only Democrat in Washington's executive branch of government. He won reelection in 1916, again as the only victorious Democrat. As governor, he supported agricultural aid, irrigation and reclamation projects, and state industrial accident insurance. He vetoed legislation that would have denied civil rights to members of the Industrial Workers of the World. And his efforts helped bring the eight-hour work day to the Pacific Northwest. He became ill during his second term and relinquished his office to the Lieutenant Governor. He passed away one day before his forty-ninth birthday.

From the description of Ernest Lister, Governor, Democratic candidate for re-election, circa 1916. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 227005154

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Nelson, Hilma Marie Jacobson. Hilma Marie Jacobson Nelson Oral History Interview 1983. Oregon State University Libraries
referencedIn Washington (State). Board of Audit and Control. Records of the Washington State Board of Audit and Control, 1897-1901. Washington State Archives, Southwest Regional Branch
creatorOf Lister, Ernest, 1870-1919. Ernest Lister, Governor, Democratic candidate for re-election, circa 1916. Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State
referencedIn Hilma Marie Jacobson Nelson Oral History Interview, 1983 Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection Archives and Special Collections Department
referencedIn Seattle Port Commission records, 1899-1960 University of Washington Libraries Special Collections
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Nelson, Hilma person
associatedWith Nelson, Hilma Marie Jacobson. person
associatedWith Seattle Port Commission corporateBody
correspondedWith Washington (State). Board of Audit and Control. corporateBody
associatedWith Washington (State). Governor (1913-1919 : Lister) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Washington (State)
Subject
Political campaigns
Political posters
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Birth 1870-06-15

Death 1919-06-14

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