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At the age of 21, Begole left New York and
arrived in Michigan, settling in Flint. Besides running a 500-acre farm,
he founded one of Flint's largest sawmills. After making his fortune,
Begole entered politics, serving as Genesee County treasurer, a state
senator and a U.S. congressman. In 1882, as an advocate of paper money,
Begole headed a Fusionist party ticket supported by Democrats and
Greenbackers, and was elected governor in a five-man race. As a former
Republican who had ousted a Republican incumbent, Begole faced many
obstacles in a Republican-dominated legislature. Begole was re-nominated
by the Fusionists in 1884, but defeated by Republican Russell Alger. He
returned to his business interests in Flint.
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