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Leverett A. Saltonstall is Born

Today in Masonic History Leverett A. Saltonstall is born in 1892.

Leverett A. Saltonstall was an American politician.

Saltonstall was born on September 1st, 1892 in Chestnut Hills, Massachusetts. He could trace his ancestry back to the Mayflower on his father's side of the family. He would graduate from the Noble Greenough School a private institution in Dedham, Massachusetts. He would go on to Harvard College where he would participate on the Harvard rowing team, the hockey team and the football team. He would graduate from Harvard in 1914. He would go on to Harvard Law School graduating there in 1917.

Prior to be admitted to the bar, Saltonstall served in the United States Army during World War I with the 301st Field Artillery. He would serve from 1917 to 1919. He would be admitted to the bar in 1919.

In 1920, Saltonstall entered politics as alderman in the city of Newton, Massachusetts. He would serve until 1922. At the same time he was the assistant district attorney for Middlesex County in 1921 and 1922.

In 1922, Saltonstall was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He would rise to the position of Speaker of the House serving in that position from 1929 to 1937.

Saltonstall would be elected as the 55th Governor of Massachusetts in 1938. This was after he had run for Lieutenant Governor in 1936 unsuccessfully. He would serve three terms as Governor from 1939 to 1945. During his term he would mediate a strike with the Teamsters, reduce taxes and retired 90% of the states debt.

In 1944, Saltonstall was elected to the United States Senate in a special election to replace Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. who had resigned. He would serve in the Senate until 1967. During his time in the Senate he would serve as the Republican Whip and five influential committees.

Saltonstall passed away on June 17, 1979 from congestive heart failure.

Saltonstall was a member of Fraternity Lodge in Newton, Massachusetts.