Elmer Austin Benson

Elmer Austin Benson (born September 22, 1895 in Appleton , Swift County , Minnesota , † March 13, 1985 ibid) was an American politician and governor of the state of Minnesota from 1937 to 1939 . He also represented his state in the US Senate from 1935 to 1936 .

Early years and advancement

Elmer Benson attended public schools in his home country and then studied law until 1918. However, he later never practiced the profession of lawyer. He then took part in the First World War as a soldier in the US Army . After the war, Benson began working in banking and in the clothing industry. Benson became a member of the Farmer-Labor Party , a party that was primarily active in Minnesota between 1918 and 1944 and during that time provided three governors, four US senators and eight members of the US House of Representatives . In 1944 the party merged with the Democrats and has been called the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party ever since .

Benson was a close ally of Governor Floyd B. Olson , who was also a member of that party and appointed him Minnesota State Security Commissioner in 1933. Between 1933 and 1935, Benson was also the bank commissioner . After the death of Thomas David Schall , Benson was appointed by Governor Olson as his successor as US Senator. Benson held this mandate in Congress between December 27, 1935 and November 3, 1936. Then Guy Victor Howard succeeded him.

Minnesota governor

After the death of his mentor Olson in 1936 and a brief interim government from his lieutenant governor Hjalmar Petersen , Benson was elected governor of Minnesota by an overwhelming majority on November 3, 1936. He held this office between January 2, 1937 and January 4, 1939. During his tenure, district welfare committees were established. Some social security laws have been reformed and the home tax has been abolished. In the 1938 elections, Benson was defeated by a clear majority. This election also marked the beginning of his party's decline.

Another résumé

In 1940 and 1942, Benson applied unsuccessfully for a return to the US Senate. In 1948, Benson joined the short-lived Progressive Party . He supported the unsuccessful presidential campaign of Henry Wallace , who had run for this party. Afterwards he withdrew from politics, also for health reasons, and devoted himself to his private interests, which mainly included agriculture. Elmer Benson died in March 1985. He had two children with his wife, Frances Miller.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME	Benson, Elmer Austin
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	September 22, 1895
PLACE OF BIRTH	Appleton , Minnesota
DATE OF DEATH	March 13, 1985
Place of death	Appleton , Minnesota