Roy Willard Rawlings Explained

Roy Willard Rawlings (March 8, 1883 – 1973) was an American politician in Rhode Island. A Republican, was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1923 to 1934. He held the speakership from 1927 to 1933.

Life and career

Rawlings was born on March 8, 1883, in Franklin, Illinois, to parents John H. Rawlings and Martha K. Seymour.[1] He graduated DePauw University in 1908, and married Lucy I. Gammell later that year.[1] The Rawlings family moved from Illinois to Rhode Island in 1913,[2] a year after Rawlings and his wife had acquired the Lillibridge Plantation from Albert and Susie Watson.[3] [4] His son Rob Roy Rawlings and daughter Lucy Rawlings Tootell also served in government.[5]

Rawlings, a Republican,[6] was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives between 1923 and 1934, and served as speaker of the Rhode Island House from 1927 to 1933. He won the speakership when Democratic lawmakers crossed the floor to vote for him.[7]

Rawlings was a stage actor and tax assessor before serving in the Rhode Island House.[8] [9] He lived in Richmond and later West Kingston.[10] [11]

After concluding his time as house speaker, Rawlings purchased the Wood River Branch Railroad in 1937 for $301.[12] He served as president until the line ceased operations in 1947.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Alumnal Record . 1915 . De Pauw University . 293 .
  2. News: Wilson . Iain . Gomes . Derrick . Two South County women among inductees to Heritage Hall of Fame . May 27, 2020 . The Independent . April 19, 2013.
  3. Book: Hall . James Lowell . Lillibridge Houses, expanded version . 2015 . 9781329396500 . 26 . Lulu.com .
  4. Book: Hall . James . Lillibridge Houses . 2015 . 9781329212961 . 11 . Lulu.com .
  5. Book: Heppner, Frank. Railroads of Rhode Island: Shaping the Ocean State's Railways. February 27, 2012. Arcadia Publishing. 9781614233633. Google Books.
  6. Web site: Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame: Lucy Rawlings Tootell, Inducted 2013. www.riheritagehalloffame.com.
  7. Book: House, Kirk W.. Richmond. May 27, 2007. Arcadia Publishing. 9780738549026. Google Books.
  8. Web site: Who's who in the East. May 28, 1957. Larkin, Roosevelt & Larkin. Google Books.
  9. News: Alumni News . June 6, 2020 . The Delta Upsilon Quarterly . 27 . 1908 . 102.
  10. Book: Rhode Island Board of Tax Commissioners . Report of the Board of Tax Commissioners Made to the Governor . 1914 . E. L. Freeman Company . 34 .
  11. Book: United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary . Lobby Investigation: October 15-18, 21-23, 1929 . 1929 . Government Printing Office . 1052 .
  12. News: October 17, 1938 . Rail Line And Bonds Cost $301 . 1 . The Windsor Daily Star . November 9, 2022.
  13. News: August 18, 1947 . Wood River R.R To Cease at Last . 14 . The Day . October 31, 2022.

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