- George Oakes
George Washington Ochs Oakes (
October 27 ,1861 ,Cincinnati, Ohio –October 26 ,1931 ) was an American journalist. Born George Washington Ochs, he legally added the surname "Oakes" in 1915 out of outrage at the sinking of the "Lusitania" by a GermanU-boat .Journalism career
Brother of fellow journalist
Adolph Ochs , George Oakes was educated at theUniversity of Tennessee . Oakes began his career injournalism as a reporter for the Chattanooga "Daily Times", of which he became general manager in 1896. In 1900, when "The New York Times " decided to issue a daily edition at the Paris Exposition, Oakes was placed in charge of the enterprise; and his work met with such favor that he was decorated by thePresident of the French Republic with the cross of theLegion of Honor . In 1901, when "The Philadelphia Times " was acquired by his brother, Oakes became vice-president and general manager of the new company, and conducted the paper until its amalgamation with the "Public Ledger", when he became general manager of the consolidated publications. Oakes remained publisher until the paper was sold in 1913 to Cyrus H. K. Curtis.On the outbreak of
World War I , Oakes attempted to enlist in the army, but was refused admittance due to his age. He persisted, and signed up as a private in the 9th Coast Artillery, New York National Guard, and served from 1917 until the Armistice in 1918. In this time he became the managing editor of a new "New York Times"-owned magazine, "Current History ". He also served on the "Times" Board of Directors.Political career
Oakes was prominent in the public life of
Tennessee . Elected delegate, he attended theDemocratic National Convention held inChicago in 1892, seconding on behalf of his state the nomination ofGrover Cleveland ; and in 1896 he was appointed delegate-at-large from Tennessee to the Palmer-Buckner Gold Democratic Convention held atIndianapolis in that year. In 1894 Oakes was electedmayor ofChattanooga, Tennessee , was reelected in 1896, and received a unanimous renomination in 1898, but declined it. He was elected vice-president and member of the executive board of the National Municipal League. For six years he held the presidency of theChattanooga Library Association ; for two years that of theSouthern Associated Press ; for three years that of theChattanooga Board of Education ; and for one year that of theChattanooga Chamber of Commerce .External links
* [http://www.chattanooga.gov/Mayors_Office/9_334.htm Biography on Chattanooga city website]
References
*JewishEncyclopedia
ee also
*
John Bertram Oakes
*List of mayors of Chattanooga, Tennessee succession box
before=Garnet Andrews
title=Mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee
years=1892–97
after=Edmund Watkins
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