Harlan J. Bushfield

Harlan John Bushfield
United States Senator from South Dakota
In office January 3, 1943 – September 27, 1948
Preceded by	William J. Bulow
Succeeded by	Vera C. Bushfield
16th Governor of South Dakota
In office January 3, 1939 – January 5, 1943
Preceded by	Leslie Jensen
Succeeded by	Merrill Q. Sharpe
Personal details
Born	August 6, 1882 Atlantic, Iowa
Died	September 27, 1948 (aged 66) Miller, South Dakota[1]
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Vera C. Bushfield (1912–1948)

Harlan John Bushfield (August 6, 1882 – September 27, 1948) was an American politician from South Dakota. He Served as the 16th Governor of South Dakota and as a United States Senator.^[2]

Biography

Bushfield was born in Atlantic, Iowa in 1882. He moved with his family to South Dakota in 1883, and attended the public schools in Miller, South Dakota. He graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1901, and from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1904. He was admitted to the bar that same year and returned to Miller to practice. Bushfield married Vera Cahalan and they had three children.^[3]

Career

A Republican, Bushfield was elected the 16th Governor of South Dakota in 1938, and reelected in 1940. He has been called "one of the state's most conservative governors ever."^[4] Governor Bushfield established a pattern of fiscal responsibility for his successors and used his financial abilities to reduce state operating costs.

In 1942, he ran for the United States Senate and won, serving from 1943 until his death in Miller, South Dakota, on September 27, 1948. His term was completed by his wife Vera C. Bushfield.

Death

Senator Bushfield died from a cerebral hemorrhage^[5] in 1948 and was interred in G A R Cemetery, Miller, Hand County, South Dakota.^[6]

References

1. "Harlan J. Bushfield". Find A Grave. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
2. "Harlan J. Bushfield". Find A Grave. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
3. "Harlan J. Bushfield". National Governors Association. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
4. John E. Miller, 'Setting the Agenda: Political Parties and Historical Change,' in The Plains Political Tradition: Essays on South Dakota Political Culture, Jon K. Lauck (ed.), John E. Miller (ed.), Donald C. Simmons, Jr. (ed.), Pierre, South Dakota: South Dakota State Historical Society Press, 2011, p. 89
5. "Harlan J. Bushfield". National Governors Association. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
6. "Harlan J. Bushfield". Find A Grave. Retrieved 2 September 2012.

External links

• United States Congress. "Harlan J. Bushfield (id: B001168)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Find A Grave
• National Governors Association