Charles C. Gossett

Charles C. Gossett
United States Senator from Idaho
In office November 17, 1945 – November 6, 1946
Appointed by	Arnold Williams
Preceded by	John W. Thomas
Succeeded by	Henry Dworshak
20th Governor of Idaho
In office January 1, 1945 – November 17, 1945
Lieutenant	Arnold Williams
Preceded by	C. A. Bottolfsen
Succeeded by	Arnold Williams
22nd Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
In office January 4, 1937 – January 2, 1939
Governor	Barzilla Clark
Preceded by	G. P. Mix
Succeeded by	Donald Whitehead
24th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
In office January 6, 1941 – January 4, 1943
Governor	Chase Clark
Preceded by	Donald Whitehead
Succeeded by	Edwin Nelson
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
In office 1932–1936
Personal details
Born	Charles Clinton Gossett September 2, 1888 Pricetown, Ohio
Died	September 20, 1974 (aged 86) Boise, Idaho
Resting place	Kohlerlawn Cemetery Nampa, Idaho
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Clara Louise Fleming (1892–1967)
Children	3
Residence	Nampa, Idaho
Profession	Agriculture
Religion	Christian

Charles Clinton Gossett (September 2, 1888 – September 20, 1974) was an American politician from Idaho. He served as the 20th Governor of Idaho and a United States Senator, but was in both offices less than a year.^[1]

Biography

Born in Pricetown, Ohio, Gossett attended public schools in Ohio. He moved west to Cunningham, Washington, in 1907, to Ontario, Oregon, in 1910, and finally to Nampa, Idaho, in 1922. He engaged in the agriculture, livestock, feed and shipping businesses.

Career

In 1932, Gossett was elected to the Idaho Legislature in the house. In 1936, he was elected the 22nd and 24th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho, serving alongside Governor Barzilla Clark. Four years later Gossett returned as lieutenant governor under Governor Chase Clark, Barzilla Clark's younger brother.

Gossett was elected governor in his own right in 1944, the last election for a two-year term, but served less than a year. He resigned in November 1945 to let his successor, Lieutenant Governor Arnold Williams, appoint him to the United States Senate to succeed the late John W. Thomas.^[2][3][4]

In the special election for the seat in 1946, Gossett was defeated in the Democratic primary in June by state senator George Donart,^[5] who in turn was defeated by Republican Congressman Henry Dworshak in the general election in November. After the loss, Gossett returned to his former business pursuits.

Gossett attempted a political comeback in 1954 in a run for governor. At the time, self-succession (re-election) was not allowed, and Len Jordan's term was ending. Gossett was defeated in the Democratic gubernatorial primary in August by state senator Clark Hamilton,^[6] who in turn lost to Republican Attorney General Robert Smylie in the general election. Gossett was appointed to the Idaho Tax Commission by Smylie in 1956 and served until 1967.^[7][8]

Family life

Gossett married Clara Louise Fleming on November 28, 1916,^[1] and they had three children.^[7]

Death

Following an extended illness, Gossett died at age 86 in Boise on September 20, 1974,^[9] and is interred at Kohlerlawn Cemetery in Nampa.^[10]

References

1. "Charles C. Gossett". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
2. "Gossett resigns to accept U.S. Senate seat; Arnold Williams is Idaho governor". Lewiston Morning Tribune (Idaho). November 18, 1945. p. 1.
3. "Gov. Gossett resigns to take Senate post". Lewiston Morning Tribune (Idaho). Associated Press. November 17, 1945. p. 1.
4. "Charles C. Gossett". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
5. Pitman, Frank W. (June 12, 1946). "Donart defeats Gossett for Senate nomination". Lewiston Morning Tribune (Idaho). Associated Press. p. 1.
6. "Returns confirm poll victories by Taylor, Smylie, Hamilton". Lewiston Morning Tribune (Idaho). Associated Press. August 12, 1954. p. 1.
7. "Charles C. Gossett". National Governors Association. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
8. "Kellogg businessman named to state tax commission". Lewiston Morning Tribune (Idaho). Associated Press. September 16, 1967. p. 1.
9. "Ex-governor of Idaho dead at 86". Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. September 21, 1974. p. 16.
10. "Charles C. Gossett". Find A Grave. Retrieved 23 September 2012.

External links

• United States Congress. "Charles C. Gossett (id: G000337)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• National Governors Association: biography

Charles C. Gossett at Find a Grave