Historical Vignette: Nine Florida governors were Baptists

At least nine Florida governors were Baptists at some point in their life. Some came from a long line of Baptist families and others chose their denomination later in life. These nine are listed in more than one source and it is possible there are others. Their names, terms in office, and some major accomplishments may encourage more research on their life and work.

Click on image for related coverage

William Sherman Jennings (1863-1920) served from 1901-1905. He was the eighteenth governor of Florida and was born near Walnut Hill, Illinois. He was a cousin of William Jennings Bryan and came to Florida in 1885 and practiced law in Brooksville. He helped save 3,000,000 acres of public lands for the people of Florida.

Park Trammell (1876-1936) served from 1913-1917. He was born in Macon County, Alabama, and his family moved to Polk County when he was an infant. He served two terms as mayor of Lakeland, and also served in the Florida House and Senate. He assisted in property tax equalization and campaign finance reform. He was elected to the United States Senate and served there from 1917 until his death in 1936.

Sidney Johnston Catts (1863-1936) was the twenty-second governor of Florida and was born near Pleasant Hill, Alabama. He was the only ordained Baptist minister to serve as governor of the state and was elected as the nominee of the Prohibition Party. He was pastor of First Baptist Church, DeFuniak Springs before becoming governor. He was in office from 1917-1921. Catts claimed that the common man in Florida had but three friends: "God Almighty, Sears and Roebuck and Sidney Johnston Catts." He was a champion of women’s rights and prison reform.

Cary Augustus Hardee (1876-1957) was born in Taylor County and served as governor from 1921-1925. He taught school and practiced law at Live Oak. He assisted in reapportioning the Legislature and prohibiting state income and inheritance taxes.

John Wellborn Martin (1884-1958) was born in Marion County and later practiced law in Jacksonville. He was governor from 1925-1929 and served three terms as Mayor of Jacksonville (1917-1923). Some of his major accomplishments in office included statewide highway construction, public school financing, and textbooks for children through grade six without charge.

Doyle Elam Carlton (1887-1972) was born in Wauchula. He graduated from Stetson University, the University of Chicago, and Columbia University. He practiced law in Tampa and served as governor from 1929-1933. Carlton gave steady leadership to the state during the depression, a terrible hurricane, and the collapse of the state’s land boom. He later led in the state in becoming the owner of the Ringling Museum at Sarasota.

Frederick Preston Cone (1871-1948) was born at Benton in Columbia County. He served as governor from 1937-1941. He practiced law at Lake City and served in the State Senate from 1907-1913. He led in the licensing of drivers to finance the Highway Patrol.

Fuller Warren (1905-1973) was born in Blountstown and was elected to the Florida House while a student at the University of Florida. He served in the 1927 session at the age of 21. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, practiced law, and served as governor from 1949-1953. He led in the drive to close open range laws to keep cattle off the highways. He helped start a state reforestation program and gave early leadership in the planning of the Florida Turnpike.

Charley Eugene Johns (1905-1990) was born in Starke and served in the Florida Senate. He was governor from 1953-1955, in that he was President of the 1953 Senate and became acting governor upon the death of Governor Dan McCarty on September 28, 1953. Governor Johns spurred highway construction and was a strong advocate of prison reform.

Many of these men have close family relatives (children, grandchildren) living and serving in Florida today. The Florida Baptist Historical Society would like to be in contact with any of these families who would permit us to interview them about their family history. (800 328-2660, ext. 480)

This is the sixth in a series of vignettes.