William S. Beardsley

William Shane Beardsley (born May 13, 1901 in Beacon , Mahaska County , Iowa , † November 21, 1954 in Des Moines , Iowa) was an American politician ( Republican Party ) and from 1949 to 1954 the 31st governor of the state of Iowa .

Early years and political advancement

As the son of a pharmacist, William Beardsley also attended a corresponding school. In his case, it was the Bowen Institute of Pharmacy , which he graduated from in 1921. Then he opened a pharmacy himself in New Virginia .

Beardsley was a member of the Iowa Senate from 1933 to 1941, and a member of the State House of Representatives from 1947 to 1948 . He was also a rancher on his farm in New Virginia. In the House of Representatives, he ran an intra-party opposition to incumbent Governor Robert Blue , whom he was then able to beat in the gubernatorial primaries in 1948. He was then also elected governor of his state.

Governor of Iowa

William Beardsley took up his new office on January 13, 1949. In 1950 and 1952 he was confirmed in office. During his tenure, the accident compensation for workers was increased. The motorway police were strengthened, games of chance were banned and schools and road construction were promoted. The war veterans received a special bonus. Beardsley stated early on that he did not want to run again in 1954. Before the end of his term in office, the governor died on November 21, 1954 in a car accident near Des Moines. He had five children with his wife, Charlotte Manning.

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

• William Beardsley in the National Governors Association (English)
• William S. Beardsley in the database of Find a Grave (English)