C. William O'Neill explained

C. William O'Neill
Order3:59th
Office3:Governor of Ohio
Term Start3:January 14, 1957
Term End3:January 12, 1959
Lieutenant3:Paul M. Herbert
Predecessor3:John William Brown
Successor3:Michael DiSalle
Governor4:Frank Lausche
John William Brown
Office4:37th Ohio Attorney General
Term Start4:January 8, 1951
Term End4:January 7, 1957
Predecessor4:Herbert S. Duffy
Successor4:William B. Saxbe
Office2:Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
Term Start2:November 30, 1960
Term End2:April 4, 1970
Predecessor2:John Weld Peck II
Successor2:Leonard J. Stern
Office1:Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court
Term Start1:April 3, 1970
Term End1:August 20, 1978
Predecessor1:Kingsley A. Taft
Order5:87th
Office5:Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
Term Start5:January 6, 1947
Term End5:January 2, 1949
Successor5:John F. Cantwell
Party:Republican
Birth Date:14 February 1916
Birth Place:Marietta, Ohio, U.S.
Death Place:Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Spouse:Betty Hewson
Alma Mater:Marietta College, Moritz College of Law
Allegiance: United States
Serviceyears:1943–1946
Battles:World War II

C. William O'Neill [1] (February 14, 1916 – August 20, 1978) was an American Republican politician, who served as the 59th governor of Ohio.

Biography

He was born in Marietta, Ohio. He was the 59th Governor of Ohio. He graduated from both Marietta College (1938) and Ohio State University Moritz College of Law (1942). While at Marietta he joined The Delta Upsilon University.

O'Neill served as a state representative and as Speaker of the House. He was then elected the State Attorney General in 1950, being the youngest person elected to the office at age 34.[1] He served from 1951 to 1957, when he was elected to the governorship. O'Neill served until 1959. He was defeated for re-election due to his support of the controversial proposed "right to work" amendment to the Ohio Constitution. He served on the Ohio Supreme Court from 1960 until his death serving as an associate justice, then chief justice. O'Neill was the only Ohioan to serve in top leadership positions in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of Ohio.[1]

O'Neill was married to Betty Hewson on July 29, 1945, and they had two children. He died August 20, 1978, and his funeral service was at First Community Church in Columbus. He was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Marietta.[1]

Legacy

The O'Neill Building at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair in Columbus, Ohio, is named in honor of O'Neill. Additionally, The C. William O'Neill Senior Citizens Center in Marietta, Ohio is named in his honor.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/SCO/formerjustices/bios/oneill.asp The Supreme Court of Ohio and The Ohio Judicial System – C. William O'Neill