Myron McCord

Myron McCord was an American politician, businessman, and military officer who served as a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 9th congressional district from 1889 to 1891. A member of the Republican Party, McCord's political career began in Wisconsin, where he held various local offices before moving to the Arizona Territory, where he was appointed territorial governor. His tenure in public service was marked by both political and financial challenges, which shaped his later endeavors in Arizona.

Early life and career

Myron Hawley McCord was born on November 26, 1840, in Ceres Township, Pennsylvania, to parents Anna Elizabeth Ackerman and Myron H. McCord. His family relocated to near Bolivar, New York, during the mid-1840s, where he received his early education in local schools and at Richburg Academy. In 1854, McCord moved to Shawano, Wisconsin, with his father, where he began working for a company involved in farming and sawmill operations. Over the next five years, he balanced work and education, attending school during the winter months while working in the summer.

At the age of 20, McCord ventured into business by establishing a company focused on building roads and bridges, as well as engaging in logging activities. During the early years of the American Civil War, he trained volunteers for military service, although he did not see combat. His early political career began in 1864 when he was elected Superintendent of Schools for Shawano County, a position he held for one term before opting not to seek reelection.

McCord's involvement in local media began in 1868 when he became a co-publisher of the Shawano County Journal, a role he maintained until 1874. His political aspirations continued to grow, leading to his election as treasurer for Shawano County in 1869 and again in 1871. In 1872, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, where he served two terms. McCord's personal life included two marriages; he first married Anna Mariah Murray in December 1861, with whom he had four children. After a divorce in 1876, he married Sarah Etta Space on August 27, 1877, and moved to Merrill, Wisconsin.

In Merrill, McCord became the publisher of the Lincoln County Advocate and expanded his business interests to include partial ownership of a bank and a company that manufactured wood products. He also owned lumber camps, which contributed to the establishment of an unincorporated town named McCord, created by the Soo Line Railroad to serve his lumber operations. His political involvement continued, culminating in his election to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1880, where he was a candidate for Assembly Speaker but withdrew to maintain party unity. As a delegate to the 1884 Republican National Convention, he supported James G. Blaine and later served as the Register of the United States Land Office in Wausau, Wisconsin.

In 1888, McCord successfully ran for the United States House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin's 9th congressional district. His congressional service was characterized as largely undistinguished, although he formed important connections, particularly with fellow Congressman William McKinley. McCord's attempts to win reelection in 1890 and 1892 were unsuccessful, coinciding with significant financial difficulties that led him to declare bankruptcy.

House tenure

Myron McCord's term in the U.S. House of Representatives began in 1889 and concluded in 1891. During this period, he represented Wisconsin's 9th congressional district as a member of the Republican Party. While his time in Congress did not yield significant legislative achievements, it provided him with valuable political connections that would influence his future career. His association with William McKinley, who sat next to him in Congress, became particularly noteworthy, as it would later play a role in McCord's appointment to a prominent position in Arizona.

Despite his initial electoral success, McCord faced challenges in subsequent elections. His attempts to secure reelection in 1890 and 1892 were met with defeat, which coincided with his financial troubles. The combination of these factors ultimately led to the end of his congressional career, with his last term concluding on March 3, 1891. Following his departure from the House, McCord relocated to the Arizona Territory in 1893, where he sought to rebuild his financial standing and continue his public service.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Myron McCord's legislative focus was not particularly distinguished, and specific details regarding the committees on which he served are not documented. However, his connections with influential figures, particularly William McKinley, were significant for his later career. The relationships he cultivated during his congressional tenure likely aided him in his subsequent appointment as the territorial governor of Arizona.

After leaving Congress, McCord moved to Phoenix, Arizona Territory, where he engaged in various business ventures, including fruit orchards, farming, and cattle ranching. His efforts to improve the quality of livestock in Arizona reflected his ongoing interest in agricultural development. In 1895, he was appointed to the Territorial Board of Control, where he oversaw operations at various institutions, including a territorial insane asylum and a reform school. His tenure on the board was marked by some controversial decisions, including a contract for irrigation construction that faced public backlash.

In 1896, McCord served as the Maricopa County Republican Chairman and became a delegate to the Republican National Convention, where he supported McKinley. His political aspirations culminated in his appointment as the Governor of Arizona Territory in 1897, a position he held until he resigned to serve as an officer in the United States Volunteers. McCord's career, characterized by both public service and business endeavors, reflects the complexities of a politician navigating the challenges of his time. He passed away on April 27, 1908.