South Dakota Governor, U.S. Senator. He attended the University of Iowa Law School, (1878-82), was admitted to the bar and opened a law practice in Pierre, Dakota Territory, in 1883. He was Attorney for Hughes County, (1886-88) and a member of the Dakota Territorial council in 1889. Upon the admission of South Dakota as a State in 1889, he was elected as a member of the first South Dakota State Senate and was Attorney General of South Dakota, (1892-96). In 1906, he was elected as a Republican the 6th Governor of South Dakota, serving until 1909. During his term as Governor, limited working hours for employees of common carriers was enacted, an Anti-Lobbying Law was enacted, direct primary elections were established and corporations were prohibited from making contributions to candidates. After leaving office, he won the election to the U.S. Senate, serving (1909-15). An unsuccessful candidate for re-nomination, he resumed the practice of law until 1934 and lived in retirement until his death and age 83.

South Dakota Governor, U.S. Senator. He attended the University of Iowa Law School, (1878-82), was admitted to the bar and opened a law practice in Pierre, Dakota Territory, in 1883. He was Attorney for Hughes County, (1886-88) and a member of the Dakota Territorial council in 1889. Upon the admission of South Dakota as a State in 1889, he was elected as a member of the first South Dakota State Senate and was Attorney General of South Dakota, (1892-96). In 1906, he was elected as a Republican the 6th Governor of South Dakota, serving until 1909. During his term as Governor, limited working hours for employees of common carriers was enacted, an Anti-Lobbying Law was enacted, direct primary elections were established and corporations were prohibited from making contributions to candidates. After leaving office, he won the election to the U.S. Senate, serving (1909-15). An unsuccessful candidate for re-nomination, he resumed the practice of law until 1934 and lived in retirement until his death and age 83.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith