Charles Finley (March 26, 1865 – March 18, 1941) was a United States representative from Kentucky and son of Hugh Franklin Finley.[1]
Charles Finley
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Louisville Courier-Journal, March 10, 1900.
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 11th district | |
| In office February 15, 1930 – March 3, 1933 | |
| Preceded by | John M. Robsion |
| Succeeded by | District eliminated |
| 52nd & 54th Secretary of State of Kentucky | |
| In office December 12, 1899 – December 29, 1899 | |
| Governor | William S. Taylor |
| Preceded by | John W. Headley |
| Succeeded by | Caleb Powers |
| In office January 1, 1896 – December 10, 1899 | |
| Governor | William O'Connell Bradley |
| Preceded by | John W. Headley |
| Succeeded by | John W. Headley |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
| In office 1894-1896 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1865-03-26)March 26, 1865 Williamsburg, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | March 18, 1941(1941-03-18) (aged 75) Williamsburg, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Resting place | Highland Cemetery Williamsburg, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
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| Alma mater | Milligan College |
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Finley was born in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where he attended the common and subscription schools.[1] Later, he attended Milligan College. He engaged in business as a coal operator, banker, and publisher.[1]
Finley was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives 1894-1896 and a delegate to the Republican state convention in 1895.[1] He served as Secretary of State of Kentucky from 1896 to 1900.[1]
On January 30, 1900, Democrat William Goebel was shot while the results of the previous year's election for Governor of Kentucky was still being contested; Goebel was declared the winner, and died shortly afterwards.[2] Finley was one of several Republicans suspected of involvement; they were indicted, and arrest warrants were issued.[2] Along with several others, Finley fled to Indiana to escape prosecution.[2] The Republican governor there refused to honor extradition requests, and they continued to reside in Indiana while the case was litigated.[2]
In 1909, Kentucky Governor Augustus E. Willson extended clemency to Finley and other suspects; they never faced trial, and then returned to Kentucky.[2]
Finley was chairman of the Republican executive committee of the Eleventh Kentucky Congressional District from 1912 to 1928.[1] He was elected as a Republican to the Seventy-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John M. Robsion and was reelected to the Seventy-second Congress and served from February 15, 1930, to March 3, 1933.[1] He was not a candidate for renomination in 1932.[1]
After leaving Congress, he retired from business activities before dying in Williamsburg, Kentucky in 1941.[3] He was buried in Highland Cemetery, Williamsburg, Kentucky.[1]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John W. Headley |
Secretary of State of Kentucky 1896–1899 |
Succeeded by John W. Headley |
| Preceded by John W. Headley |
Secretary of State of Kentucky 1899 |
Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 11th congressional district 1930 – 1933 (obsolete district) |
Succeeded by District eliminated |