Governor of South Dakota. Born in Baltic, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, Nils Andreas Boe grew up as the son of a Lutheran Minister. Both of his parents were Norwegian immigrants. Boe graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1937, and began practicing law in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. During World War II, Boe enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Lieutenant. Following his military service, Boe returned to his law practice, and entered politics. He was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1950, remained in office until 1959, and served as the Speaker of the House for four years. He was elected as the Lieutenant Governor in 1962, and elected to the first of two terms as Governor in 1964, serving from January 5, 1965 until January 7, 1969. His administration is remembered for passing anti-discrimination laws, increasing school funding, providing for a state retirement system, and improving South Dakota’s reservoirs. Upon leaving office, Boe was appointed by President Richard Nixon as the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Later the President nominated Boe as a Judge on the U.S. Customs Court (later called the United States Court of International Trade.) Boe served as a Judge from 1971 until his death in 1992.

Governor of South Dakota. Born in Baltic, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, Nils Andreas Boe grew up as the son of a Lutheran Minister. Both of his parents were Norwegian immigrants. Boe graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1937, and began practicing law in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. During World War II, Boe enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a Lieutenant. Following his military service, Boe returned to his law practice, and entered politics. He was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1950, remained in office until 1959, and served as the Speaker of the House for four years. He was elected as the Lieutenant Governor in 1962, and elected to the first of two terms as Governor in 1964, serving from January 5, 1965 until January 7, 1969. His administration is remembered for passing anti-discrimination laws, increasing school funding, providing for a state retirement system, and improving South Dakota’s reservoirs. Upon leaving office, Boe was appointed by President Richard Nixon as the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Later the President nominated Boe as a Judge on the U.S. Customs Court (later called the United States Court of International Trade.) Boe served as a Judge from 1971 until his death in 1992.

Bio by: Ernest