author
William Larrabee
1832–1912
A one-eyed Connecticut farm boy who became Iowa’s 13th governor, he built a life in Clermont as a teacher, mill owner, banker, and outspoken reformer. Best remembered for pushing railroad regulation, better schools, and temperance, he left a strong mark on Iowa public life in the late 1800s.
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About the author
Born in Ledyard, Connecticut, on January 20, 1832, William Larrabee moved to Iowa in 1853 and made his home in Clermont. Before rising in politics, he taught school and built a successful business career that included milling and banking. A childhood injury left him blind in one eye, keeping him out of Civil War service, but he became deeply involved in public affairs in his adopted state.
Larrabee served for many years in the Iowa State Senate before being elected governor, holding office from 1886 to 1890 as Iowa’s 13th governor. He gained a reputation as a forceful Republican reformer, especially on issues such as railroad regulation, education, and temperance. His plainspoken style and willingness to challenge powerful interests made him a memorable figure in Iowa politics.
After leaving office, he remained active in civic and educational causes and continued to be an influential presence in Clermont, where his home, Montauk, became one of the best-known residences in the state. He died there on November 16, 1912. For listeners interested in American state politics and the shaping of the Midwest, his life offers a vivid picture of ambition, reform, and local leadership in the 19th century.