George H. Utter

Who was George H. Utter?

George Herbert Utter was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island and the 49th Governor of Rhode Island.

Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Utter moved with his parents to Westerly, Rhode Island in 1861. He attended the public schools of Westerly and Alfred Academy. He graduated from Amherst College, Massachusetts in 1877. He was engaged as a printer and publisher of the Westerly Sun before serving as a personal aide on the staff of Governor Augustus O. Bourn 1883–1885. He served as member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives 1885–1889, serving as speaker the last year.

Utter served in the Rhode Island Senate, as Secretary of State of Rhode Island, and as Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Rhode Island.

Utter was elected as a Republican to the Sixty-second Congress and served from March 4, 1911, until his death from liver cancer in Westerly, Rhode Island, November 3, 1912. At the time of his death, Utter was running for re-election to Congress.

He was interred in Riverbend Cemetery.