Arnold Williams (May 21, 1898 – May 25, 1970) was an American politician and businessman who served as the 21st governor of Idaho from 1945 until 1947.[1] A member of the Democratic Party, he later served as Idaho's secretary of state from 1959 until 1966.
Early life and education
Born in Fillmore, Utah, Williams attended its public school and Henagers Business College in Salt Lake City.[2][3]
Career
Williams served in the U.S. Army during World War I. Following his discharge, he established a successful dry cleaning business in Rexburg, Idaho. After serving in government at the local and county level, he was elected to the Idaho House in 1936 and served several terms.
Williams was elected lieutenant governor in 1944 and became governor in November 1945. He finished the unexpired term of Charles Gossett, who resigned after ten months and was immediately appointed by Williams to the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Republican John Thomas.[4]
Williams became the state's first Mormon governor and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1946,[5][6] but was defeated in the general election by Republican C. A. Robins, a physician from St. Maries.[7][8][9] The first Mormon to be elected as Idaho's governor was incumbent Democrat John Evans in 1978.
Williams was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Idaho in 1948,[10] and later was elected secretary of state of Idaho in 1958, and served until 1966.[10][11]
Personal life
Williams married Luella Huskinson and they had two children.[3] He died at age 72 in Idaho Falls on May 25, 1970,[1][12] and is interred at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls.
References
- ^ a b c "Ex-Governor of Gem State dies at 72". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. May 26, 1970. p. 1.
- ^ Reynolds, Irvine W. (June 9, 1946). "Idaho voters have wide choice among candidates in primaries". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. p. 3, section 2.
- ^ a b "Arnold Williams". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- ^ "Gossett resigns to accept U.S. Senate seat; Arnold Williams is Idaho governor". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. November 18, 1945. p. 1.
- ^ "Winners in primary election". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. (photos). June 12, 1946.
- ^ "Unofficial results on primary election". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. June 13, 1946.
- ^ "GOP nears House control in landslide". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. November 6, 1946. p. 1.
- ^ Partridge, Harve (November 6, 1946). "Northern Idaho medic selected to guide state". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. p. 1.
- ^ "Vote for Governor by counties". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. November 7, 1946. p. 2.
- ^ a b "Arnold Williams". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- ^ "Idaho official will bow out". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. March 23, 1966. p. 6.
- ^ "Idaho flags to be lowered". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. May 26, 1970. p. 5.
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