William Spry (January 11, 1864 – April 21, 1929) was an American politician who was the third governor of the State of Utah. He is the namesake of the William Spry Agriculture Building that houses the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
Life and career Spry was born at Windsor, Berkshire, England. He emigrated to Utah Territory with his parents at the age of eleven.
In 1885, Spry was called as an LDS Church missionary and went to serve in the Southern States Mission. From 1888 to 1891, Spry served as president of the Southern States Mission.Jenson, Andrew. Encyclopedic History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News Press, 1941) p. 822 In 1890, during his mission, Spry received permission from the leaders of the church to return briefly to Salt Lake City where he married Mary Alice Wrathall.Jenson, Andrew. LDS Biographical Encyclopedia. Vol. 4, p. 381
In 1894, Spry was elected county collector in Tooele County, Utah. In 1902 Spry was elected to the Utah House of RepresentativesUtah Legislators roster and in 1905 he was appointed one of the members of the Utah state board of land commissioners. From 1906 to 1908, Spry served as United States Marshal for the District of Utah.
He served as governor of Utah from 1909 to 1917. He was a Republican. Spry was a strong opponent of Prohibition, and vetoed two bills that would have implemented this.Ludlow, Daniel H., ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism. p. 1158 In 1915, Spry refused President Woodrow Wilson's request to reconsider the impending execution of Joe Hill and allowed the execution to take place on November 19.
From 1921 to 1929 Spry served as commissioner of Public Lands.Ludlow, Daniel H., ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism. p. 634
Spry died in Washington, D.C., in 1929 when he was still serving as the Federal Commissioner of Public Lands. He was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
See also List of United States governors born outside the United States Mount Spry, a mountain named in his honor
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