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American Legion
Politician members in Nebraska


  Walter Lincoln Anderson (1868-1959) — also known as Walter L. Anderson — of Sidney, Fremont County, Iowa; Hot Springs, Fall River County, S.Dak.; Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Sidney, Fremont County, Iowa, February 19, 1868. Son of Albert Raney Anderson and Sarah Jane (Woods) Anderson. Republican. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War; alternate delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1916; delegate to Nebraska state constitutional convention, 1919-20; member of Nebraska state house of representatives, 1921-22; Speaker of the Nebraska State House of Representatives, 1922; candidate for U.S. Representative from Nebraska 1st District, 1922. Member, Beta Theta Pi; United Spanish War Veterans; American Legion; Forty and Eight; Kiwanis; Freemasons; Scottish Rite Masons; Knights Templar; Elks. Died in 1959 (age about 91 years). Interment at Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Neb.
  Relatives: Married, October 29, 1902, to Helen Marie Nance.
  See also Find-A-Grave memorial
  Edward James Baburek (1910-1986) — also known as Edward Baburek — of Omaha, Douglas County, Neb. Born in Omaha, Douglas County, Neb., September 14, 1910. Democrat. Lawyer; candidate for Nebraska unicameral legislature 7th District, 1948; served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict. Catholic. Member, American Legion. Died in 1986 (age about 75 years). Burial location unknown.
  Ralph A. Baker (1895-1978) — of Valentine, Cherry County, Neb. Born in Gordon, Sheridan County, Neb., October 2, 1895. Son of Lee R. Baker and Adelina Celestenia Baker. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; rancher; chair of Cherry County Republican Party, 1956-73; delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1960, 1964. Methodist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Farm Bureau. Died October 8, 1978 (age 83 years, 6 days). Interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Valentine, Neb.
  Relatives: Married, August 30, 1919, to Mary Cole (1896-1987).
  See also Find-A-Grave memorial
  William E. Barrett (b. 1929) — also known as Bill Barrett — of Lexington, Dawson County, Neb. Born in Lexington, Dawson County, Neb., February 9, 1929. Republican. Real estate broker; member of Nebraska Republican State Executive Committee, 1964-66, 1973-79; delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1968; Nebraska Republican state chair, 1973-75; member of Nebraska unicameral legislature 39th District, 1979-90; Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, 1987-90; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 3rd District, 1991-2001. Presbyterian. Member, American Legion; Rotary. Still living as of 2009.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — votes in Congress from the Washington Post — NNDB dossier
  Allen Jay Beermann (b. 1940) — also known as Allen J. Beermann — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa, January 14, 1940. Lawyer; secretary of state of Nebraska, 1971-. Lutheran. Member, American Bar Association; American Legion; Elks; American Judicature Society; Pi Kappa Delta; Phi Alpha Delta; Newcomen Society. Still living as of 2001.
  Ralph Frederick Beermann (1912-1977) — of Dakota City, Dakota County, Neb. Born near Dakota City, Dakota County, Neb., August 13, 1912. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; U.S. Representative from Nebraska, 1961-65 (3rd District 1961-63, 1st District 1963-65). Lutheran. Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Farm Bureau; Kiwanis. Died in an airplane crash at the Municipal Airport in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa, February 17, 1977 (age 64 years, 188 days). Interment at Dakota City Cemetery, Dakota City, Neb.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page
  Emil E. Beyer, Jr. (b. 1929) — of Gretna, Sarpy County, Neb. Born May 20, 1929. Member of Nebraska unicameral legislature 3rd District, 1981. Lutheran. Member, American Legion; Optimist Club. Still living as of 1993.
  Clair Armstrong Callan (1920-2005) — also known as Clair A. Callan — of Odell, Gage County, Neb. Born in Odell, Gage County, Neb., March 20, 1920. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 1st District, 1965-67; defeated, 1966. Methodist. Member, American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Freemasons; Shriners; Optimist Club; Odd Fellows; Elks. Died in Fairbury, Jefferson County, Neb., May 28, 2005 (age 85 years, 69 days). Burial location unknown.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page
  Edward Francis Carter (b. 1897) — also known as Edward F. Carter — of Gering, Scotts Bluff County, Neb. Born in Middlebranch, Holt County, Neb., March 11, 1897. Son of Edward Charles Carter and Allie Margaret (Waring) Carter. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; lawyer; district judge in Nebraska 17th District, 1927-34; appointed 1927; justice of Nebraska state supreme court, 1935-. Congregationalist or Methodist. English and Scottish ancestry. Member, Order of the Coif; Freemasons; Shriners; Knights of Pythias; Lions; American Legion; Phi Alpha Delta; American Bar Association. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, June 2, 1920, to Vera Marie Hofrichter.
  Ellwood Blake Chappell (b. 1889) — also known as E. B. Chappell — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Osmond, Pierce County, Neb., May 4, 1889. Son of William Henry Chappell and Pleasant May (Turner) Chappell. Republican. Lawyer; district judge in Nebraska 3rd District, 1929-43; justice of Nebraska state supreme court, 1943-. Presbyterian. English and Dutch ancestry. Member, American Legion; Forty and Eight; Freemasons; Scottish Rite Masons; Shriners; Lions; Elks; Delta Theta Phi; Delta Chi; American Bar Association. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, April 10, 1918, to Myra May Stenner.
  Clarence Leon Clark (b. 1890) — also known as Clarence L. Clark — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb., March 27, 1890. Democrat. Lawyer; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944, 1948; vice-chair of Nebraska Democratic Party, 1936-40. Methodist. Member, American Legion; Forty and Eight; American Bar Association; Kiwanis; Freemasons; Shriners; Elks. Burial location unknown.
  William Owen Cowger (1922-1971) — also known as William O. Cowger — of Louisville, Jefferson County, Ky. Born in Hastings, Adams County, Neb., January 1, 1922. Son of Dr. R. H. Cowger and Catherine (Combs) Cowger. Republican. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; banker; candidate for Kentucky state house of representatives, 1948; member of Kentucky Republican State Central Committee, 1956-71; mayor of Louisville, Ky., 1961-65; U.S. Representative from Kentucky 3rd District, 1967-71; defeated, 1970. Presbyterian. Member, Jaycees; Urban League; American Legion. Died in Louisville, Jefferson County, Ky., October 2, 1971 (age 49 years, 274 days). Interment at Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Ky.
  Relatives: Married 1945 to Cynthia Thompson.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — Find-A-Grave memorial
  Julius Dennis Cronin (b. 1895) — also known as Julius D. Cronin — of O'Neill, Holt County, Neb. Born in O'Neill, Holt County, Neb., May 29, 1895. Son of Dennis Harrington Cronin and Kathleen (Lorge) Cronin. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War I; lawyer; delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1936, 1948 (alternate). Catholic. Member, Delta Theta Phi; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; American Bar Association; Elks; Knights of Columbus. Burial location unknown.
  Robert Berkey Crosby (1911-2000) — also known as Robert B. Crosby; "The Boy Governor from North Platte" — of North Platte, Lincoln County, Neb.; Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in North Platte, Lincoln County, Neb., March 26, 1911. Son of Mainard E. Crosby and Cora May (Berkey) Crosby. Republican. Lawyer; member of Nebraska unicameral legislature, 1941-45; served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska, 1947-49; Governor of Nebraska, 1953-55; candidate in primary for U.S. Senator from Nebraska, 1954; delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1956, 1960 (member, Resolutions Committee), 1964, 1972, 1976. Catholic. Member, American Bar Association; Kiwanis; American Legion; Elks. Died, of Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer, in Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb., January 7, 2000 (age 88 years, 287 days). Interment at Lincoln Memorial Park, Lincoln, Neb.
  Relatives: Son of Mainard E. Crosby and Cora May (Berkey) Crosby; married, November 29, 1934, to Elizabeth Ehler; married, May 22, 1971, to LaVon Kehoe.
  See also National Governors Association biography
  Harold John Daub, Jr. (b. 1941) — also known as Hal Daub, Jr. — of Omaha, Douglas County, Neb. Born in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, N.C., April 23, 1941. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 2nd District, 1981-89; candidate for U.S. Senator from Nebraska, 1990; mayor of Omaha, Neb., 1995-; Presidential Elector for Nebraska, 1996; delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 2004, 2008. Presbyterian. Member, American Legion; Forty and Eight; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Urban League; NAACP; American Judicature Society; Freemasons. Still living as of 2009.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — NNDB dossier
  John William DeCamp (b. 1941) — also known as John W. DeCamp — of Neligh, Antelope County, Neb. Born in Neligh, Antelope County, Neb., July 6, 1941. Served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war; lawyer; contractor; member of Nebraska unicameral legislature 40th District, 1971-87. Christian. Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Disabled American Veterans; American Legion. Still living as of 1993.
  Robert Vernon Denney (1916-1981) — also known as Robert V. Denney — of Fairbury, Jefferson County, Neb.; Omaha, Douglas County, Neb. Born in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, April 11, 1916. Republican. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II; Nebraska Republican state chair, 1961-64; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 1st District, 1967-71. Presbyterian. Member, American Bar Association; Freemasons; Knights Templar; Shriners; Lions; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion. Died in Omaha, Douglas County, Neb., June 26, 1981 (age 65 years, 76 days). Interment at Fairbury Cemetery, Fairbury, Neb.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page
  Frederick M. Deutsch (b. 1898) — of Norfolk, Madison County, Neb. Born in Talmadge, Otoe County, Neb., September 4, 1898. Democrat. Lawyer; alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1940, 1948, 1952, 1956. Catholic. Member, American Bar Association; Knights of Columbus; Elks; American Legion; Forty and Eight. Burial location unknown.
  George Agler Eberly (b. 1871) — also known as George A. Eberly — of Stanton, Stanton County, Neb. Born in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Ind., February 9, 1871. Son of John Eberly and Mary (Agler) Eberly. Republican. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War; Stanton County Attorney, 1899-1903, 1905-09; director, Stanton National Bank; justice of Nebraska state supreme court, 1925-43. Congregationalist. Member, American Bar Association; Freemasons; Scottish Rite Masons; Shriners; Woodmen; American Legion; Forty and Eight; United Spanish War Veterans; Sons of Veterans; Sons of Union Veterans; Military Order of the World Wars; Kiwanis. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, August 2, 1899, to Rose E. Psota.
  Albert William Elsasser (1888-1961) — of Omaha, Douglas County, Neb. Born in Omaha, Douglas County, Neb., February 8, 1888. Democrat. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Army during World War I; member of Nebraska state house of representatives, 1923-24. German ancestry. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Elks; American Legion. Died in Omaha, Douglas County, Neb., August 9, 1961 (age 73 years, 182 days). Interment at Hillcrest Cemetery, Omaha, Neb.
  John James Exon (1921-2005) — also known as J. James Exon; Jim Exon — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Geddes, Charles Mix County, S.Dak., August 9, 1921. Son of John Exon and Luella Exon. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1964, 1972, 1976, 1988, 1992, 1996 (delegation chair), 2000, 2004; member of Nebraska Democratic State Central Committee, 1964-68; member of Democratic National Committee from Nebraska, 1968-70, 1981-83; Governor of Nebraska, 1971-79; U.S. Senator from Nebraska, 1979-. Episcopalian. Member, American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Optimist Club; Eagles; Elks; Freemasons; Shriners. Died in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb., June 10, 2005 (age 83 years, 305 days). Interment at Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Neb.
  Relatives: Married, September 18, 1943, to Patricia A. Pros.
  Cross-reference: Norman A. Otto
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — votes in Congress from the Washington Post — National Governors Association biography — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier — Internet Movie Database profile — Find-A-Grave memorial
  Books about J. James Exon: Duane Hutchinson, Exon : Biography of a Governor
  Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. (1913-2006) — also known as Gerald R. Ford; Jerry Ford; Leslie Lynch King, Jr.; "Passkey" — of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich.; Rancho Mirage, Riverside County, Calif. Born in Omaha, Douglas County, Neb., July 14, 1913. Son of Leslie Lynch King, Sr. (1884-1941) and Dorothy Ayer (Gardner) King Ford (1892-1967). Republican. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1948, 1960, 1964; U.S. Representative from Michigan 5th District, 1949-73; resigned 1973; member, President's Commission on the Assassination of President KNDY, 1963-64; Vice President of the United States, 1973-74; President of the United States, 1974-77; defeated, 1976. Episcopalian. English and Scottish ancestry. Member, Freemasons; Scottish Rite Masons; Shriners; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Amvets; Sons of the American Revolution; Forty and Eight; Jaycees; Delta Kappa Epsilon; Phi Delta Phi; Humane Society; Elks; American Bar Association. Shot at in two separate incidents in San Francisco in September 1975. On September 5, Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme, follower of murderous cult leader Charles Manson, got close to the President with a loaded pistol, and squeezed the trigger at close range; the gun misfired. On September 22, Sara Jane Moore fired a shot at him, but a bystander deflected her aim. Both women were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Received the Medal of Freedom in 1999. Died in Rancho Mirage, Riverside County, Calif., December 26, 2006 (age 93 years, 165 days). Interment at Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids, Mich.
  Relatives: Son of Leslie Lynch King, Sr. (1884-1941) and Dorothy Ayer (Gardner) King Ford (1892-1967); step-son of Gerald Rudolph Ford, Sr. (1890-1962); married, October 15, 1948, to Elizabeth Ann 'Betty' (Bloomer) Warren (1918-2011); half-brother of Thomas G. Ford, Sr..
  Cross-reference: Richard M. Nixon — L. William Seidman
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier — Internet Movie Database profile
  Books by Gerald R. Ford: A Time to Heal: The Autobiography of Gerald R. Ford (1983)
  Books about Gerald R. Ford: John Robert Greene, The Presidency of Gerald R. Ford — Edward L. Schapsmeier, Gerald R. Ford's Date With Destiny: A Political Biography — James Cannon, Time and Chance : Gerald Ford's Appointment With History — Douglas Brinkley, Gerald R. Ford
  Duane D. Gay (b. 1932) — of Columbus, Platte County, Neb. Born in Clifton, Washington County, Kan., January 24, 1932. Republican. Real estate broker; member of Nebraska railway commission 3rd District, 1971-. Member, American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Elks; Freemasons. Still living as of 1971.
  Dwight Palmer Griswold (1893-1954) — also known as Dwight P. Griswold — of Gordon, Sheridan County, Neb.; Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff County, Neb. Born in Harrison, Sioux County, Neb., November 27, 1893. Son of Dwight H. Griswold and Clarissa (Palmer) Griswold. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; banker; newspaper editor; member of Nebraska state house of representatives, 1921-23; member of Nebraska state senate, 1925-29; Governor of Nebraska, 1941-47; defeated, 1932, 1934; U.S. Senator from Nebraska, 1952-54; died in office 1954. Presbyterian. Member, Alpha Tau Omega; American Legion; Freemasons; Shriners. Died, in Bethesda Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Montgomery County, Md., April 12, 1954 (age 60 years, 136 days). Interment at Fairview Cemetery, Scottsbluff, Neb.
  Relatives: Married, September 25, 1919, to Erma Elliott.
  Cross-reference: Val Peterson
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — National Governors Association biography
  Fred T. Hanson (b. 1902) — of McCook, Red Willow County, Neb. Born in Wakefield, Dixon County, Neb., February 25, 1902. Probate judge in Nebraska, 1931-42; served in the U.S. Army during World War II; candidate for justice of Nebraska state supreme court 5th District, 1948. Member, American Judicature Society; American Bar Association; American Legion. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  Stanley Knapp Hathaway (1924-2005) — also known as Stanley K. Hathaway; Stanley Knapp — of Torrington, Goshen County, Wyo. Born in Osceola, Polk County, Neb., July 19, 1924. Son of Robert Knapp and Lily Knapp. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II; lawyer; Goshen County Prosecuting Attorney, 1954-62; delegate to Republican National Convention from Wyoming, 1960 (member, Credentials Committee), 1972 (delegation chair); Wyoming Republican state chair, 1962-64; Governor of Wyoming, 1967-75; U.S. Secretary of the Interior, 1975. Episcopalian. Member, American Bar Association; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Lions; Freemasons; Elks; Moose. Died in Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyo., October 4, 2005 (age 81 years, 77 days). Interment at Valley View Cemetery, Torrington, Wyo.
  Relatives: Son of Robert Knapp and Lily Knapp; step-son of Franklin E. Hathaway and Velma Hathaway; married to Roberta 'Bobby' Hurley (died 2004).
  See also National Governors Association biography — Wikipedia article — NNDB dossier — Internet Movie Database profile — Find-A-Grave memorial
  William Hayward (1877-1944) — of Nebraska City, Otoe County, Neb.; Manhattan, New York County, N.Y. Born in Nebraska City, Otoe County, Neb., April 29, 1877. Son of Monroe Leland Hayward and Jennie (Pelton) Hayward. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War; lawyer; Otoe County Judge, 1901-02; Nebraska Republican state chair, 1907-09; Secretary of Republican National Committee, 1908-12; U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, 1921-25; delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1924. Member, United Spanish War Veterans; Sons of the Revolution; American Legion; Union League. Died in Manhattan, New York County, N.Y., October 13, 1944 (age 67 years, 167 days). Interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London, Conn.
  Relatives: Grandson of Edwin A. Pelton; third cousin twice removed of Guy Ray Pelton and Frederic William Pelton; son of Monroe Leland Hayward and Jennie (Pelton) Hayward; fourth cousin once removed of George Pelton Lawrence; married, June 21, 1919, to Mae C. Plant. See Livingston-Seymour-Lee-Williams family of New York.
  See also Find-A-Grave memorial
  Charles G. Irwin (b. 1892) — of Douglas, Converse County, Wyo. Born in Belvidere, Thayer County, Neb., November 20, 1892. Republican. Railway station agent; merchant; banker; member of Wyoming state house of representatives; delegate to Republican National Convention from Wyoming, 1956; member of Wyoming state senate from Converse County, 1957-67. Episcopalian. Member, Freemasons; Moose; Kiwanis; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion. Burial location unknown.
  Raymond Allen Constan Johnson (b. 1923) — also known as Ray A. C. Johnson — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Stanton, Montgomery County, Iowa, July 25, 1923. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II; accountant; Nebraska state auditor, 1971-91. Member, American Legion; Freemasons; Kiwanis. Still living as of 1993.
  Relatives: Married, December 28, 1947, to Mary Ann Butler.
  Walter Henry Judd (1898-1994) — also known as Walter H. Judd — of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minn. Born in Rising City, Butler County, Neb., September 25, 1898. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; physician; U.S. Representative from Minnesota 5th District, 1943-63; delegate to Republican National Convention from Minnesota, 1948 (alternate), 1952 (alternate), 1956, 1960, 1964. Congregationalist. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Phi Beta Kappa; American Legion. Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981. Died in Mitchellville, Prince George's County, Md., February 13, 1994 (age 95 years, 141 days). Interment at Blue Valley Cemetery, Surprise, Neb.
  Relatives: Married 1932 to Miriam Louise Barber.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page
  Joseph Robert Kerrey (b. 1943) — also known as Bob Kerrey — of Nebraska. Born in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb., August 27, 1943. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War; Governor of Nebraska, 1983-87; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1996, 2000; speaker, 1988; U.S. Senator from Nebraska, 1989-; candidate for Democratic nomination for President, 1992. Congregationalist. Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Disabled American Veterans; American Legion; Lions; Sertoma. Received the Medal of Honor for action at Nha Trang Bay, Vietnam, 1969, when he lost a leg. Still living as of 2009.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — votes in Congress from the Washington Post — National Governors Association biography — NNDB dossier — Internet Movie Database profile
  Books by Bob Kerrey: When I Was A Young Man : A Memoir by Bob Kerrey (2002)
  Books about Bob Kerrey: Gregory L. Vistica, The Education of Lieutenant Kerrey
  Melvin Robert Laird, Jr. (b. 1922) — also known as Melvin R. Laird — of Marshfield, Wood County, Wis. Born in Omaha, Douglas County, Neb., September 1, 1922. Son of Melvin Robert Laird, Sr. and Helen Connor Laird. Republican. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; member of Wisconsin state senate, 1946-52; delegate to Republican National Convention from Wisconsin, 1948 (alternate), 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964; U.S. Representative from Wisconsin 7th District, 1953-69; U.S. Secretary of Defense, 1969-73. Presbyterian. Member, American Legion; Forty and Eight; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Disabled American Veterans; Freemasons; Elks; United Commercial Travelers; Purple Heart. Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1974. Still living as of 2009.
  Relatives: Grandson of William Duncan Connor; son of Melvin Robert Laird, Sr. and Helen Connor Laird; married to Barbara Masters; uncle of Jessica Laird (who married James Edward Doyle). See Laird-Doyle family of Wisconsin.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — NNDB dossier — Internet Movie Database profile
  Loren H. Laughlin (b. 1896) — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Mt. Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa, August 13, 1896. Republican. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Army during World War I; member of Nebraska state senate 16th District, 1925-29; delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1928, 1932, 1936. Member, Sigma Alpha Epsilon; American Bar Association; American Legion; Forty and Eight; Modern Woodmen of America; Knights of Pythias; Freemasons; Shriners. Burial location unknown.
  Ray John Madden (1892-1987) — also known as Ray J. Madden — of Omaha, Douglas County, Neb.; Gary, Lake County, Ind. Born in Waseca, Waseca County, Minn., February 25, 1892. Son of John Madden and Mary Elizabeth (Burns) Madden. Democrat. Lawyer; municipal judge in Nebraska, 1916; served in the U.S. Navy during World War I; Lake County Treasurer, 1938-42; U.S. Representative from Indiana, 1943-77 (1st District 1943-63, 8th District 1963-65, 1st District 1965-77); delegate to Democratic National Convention from Indiana, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964. Member, American Legion. Died in Washington, D.C., September 28, 1987 (age 95 years, 215 days). Interment at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page
  Robert T. Marland (1918-1991) — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Danielson, Killingly, Windham County, Conn., January 20, 1918. Republican. Rancher; radio station owner; member of Nebraska railway commission, 1967-69, 1971- (4th District 1967-69, 1st District 1971); appointed 1967. Member, Elks; Freemasons; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Died in October, 1991 (age 73 years, 0 days). Burial location unknown.
  Frank Marsh (1924-2001) — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Norfolk, Madison County, Neb., April 27, 1924. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; secretary of state of Nebraska, 1953-71; Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska, 1971-75; Nebraska state treasurer, 1975-81, 1987-91; defeated, 1990. Methodist. Welsh and English ancestry. Member, American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Sertoma; Alpha Phi Omega. Died, of pulmonary fibrosis, Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb., March 10, 2001 (age 76 years, 317 days). Interment at Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Neb.
  Relatives: Married, March 5, 1942, to Shirley Marsh.
  Donald Francis McGinley (b. 1920) — of Ogallala, Keith County, Neb. Born in Keith County, Neb., June 30, 1920. Democrat. Member of Nebraska unicameral legislature, 1955-57, 1963; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 4th District, 1959-61; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1964; Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska, 1983. Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Elks; Knights of Columbus. Still living as of 1998.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page
  Fred W. Messmore (b. 1890) — of Beatrice, Gage County, Neb. Born in Boone, Boone County, Iowa, July 11, 1890. Lawyer; district judge in Nebraska 18th District, 1929-37; justice of Nebraska state supreme court, 1937-. Methodist. English and Scottish ancestry. Member, American Legion; Freemasons; Elks; Odd Fellows; Kiwanis. Burial location unknown.
  Cecil Morgan (1898-1999) — of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, La.; New Orleans, Orleans Parish, La. Born in Nebraska, August 20, 1898. Son of Howell Morgan and Thisba Ann (Hutson) Morgan. Lawyer; member of Louisiana state legislature, 1927-34; leader of a group of state legislators who impeached Gov. Huey P. Long in 1929; counsel and executive for Standard Oil Company; dean, Tulane University Law School, 1963-68. Member, American Legion. He was the last surviving legislator to have served in the old Louisiana state capitol. Died in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, La., June 14, 1999 (age 100 years, 298 days). Interment at Magnolia Cemetery, Baton Rouge, La.
  Relatives: Third great-grandson of Richard Howell; son of Howell Morgan and Thisba Ann (Hutson) Morgan; married to Margaret Geddes. See Livingston-Seymour-Lee-Williams family of New York.
  John Myers Ostrander (1895-1973) — also known as John M. Ostrander — of Beatrice, Gage County, Neb. Born in Vesta, Johnson County, Neb., July 22, 1895. Son of David Romain Ostrander (1844-1901) and Mary (Myers) Ostrander (1865-1899). Republican. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War I; grocer; mayor of Beatrice, Neb., 1938-40. Christian. Member, American Legion; Rotary; Freemasons; Royal Arch Masons; Knights Templar. Died in Beatrice, Gage County, Neb., July 17, 1973 (age 77 years, 360 days). Interment somewhere in Vesta, Neb.
  Relatives: Married, September 23, 1916, to Flossy Ellen Clark (1893-1988).
  Richard Cunningham Patterson, Jr. (1886-1966) — also known as Richard C. Patterson, Jr. — of Manhattan, New York County, N.Y.; Locust Valley, Nassau County, Long Island, N.Y. Born in Omaha, Douglas County, Neb., January 31, 1886. Son of Richard Cunningham Patterson and Martha Belle (Neiswanger) Patterson. Democrat. Gold miner; served in the U.S. Army during World War I; engineer; New York City Commissioner of Correction, 1927-32; executive vice-president and director, National Broadcasting Co., 1932-36; chairman, Radio-Keith-Orpheum (RKO) Corp., 1939-43; chairman, Ogden Corp. (Utilities Power & Light Co.); delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1928 (alternate), 1932 (alternate), 1936, 1944, 1948; U.S. Ambassador to Yugoslavia, 1944-47; Guatamala, 1948-50; U.S. Minister to Switzerland, 1951-53. Methodist. Member, Military Order of the World Wars; American Legion; Society of Colonial Wars; Sons of the Revolution; Beta Theta Pi; Freemasons. Died September 30, 1966 (age 80 years, 242 days). Interment at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.
  Relatives: Married, May 31, 1924, to Shelley McCutchen Rodes.
  See also Find-A-Grave memorial
  Frederick Valdemar Erastus Peterson (1903-1983) — also known as Val Peterson — of Elgin, Antelope County, Neb.; Hastings, Adams County, Neb. Born in Oakland, Burt County, Neb., July 18, 1903. Son of Henry C. Peterson and Hermanda (Swanberg) Peterson. Republican. School teacher; athletic coach; newspaper publisher; secretary to Gov. Dwight Griswold, 1941-42; served in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II; Governor of Nebraska, 1947-53; member, Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, 1953-55; U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, 1957-61; Finland, 1969-73; delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1960, 1972; insurance executive. Lutheran. Member, Rotary; Freemasons; Shriners; Jesters; Eagles; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Died, from Alzheimer's disease and respiratory failure, in Fremont, Dodge County, Neb., October 17, 1983 (age 80 years, 91 days). Interment at Oakdale Cemetery, Oakdale, Neb.
  Relatives: Married, June 6, 1929, to Elizabeth Howells Pleak (died 1979).
  See also National Governors Association biography — Wikipedia article — Internet Movie Database profile
  Walter Ward Reynoldson (b. 1920) — also known as W. Ward Reynoldson — of Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa. Born in St. Edward, Boone County, Neb., May 17, 1920. Son of Walter Scorer Reynoldson and Mabel Matilda (Sallach) Reynoldson. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; lawyer; Clarke County Attorney, 1953-57; justice of Iowa state supreme court, 1971-87; chief justice of Iowa state supreme court, 1978-87; law professor. Member, Rotary; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Association of Trial Lawyers of America; American Bar Association; American Judicature Society. Still living as of 2003.
  Relatives: Son of Walter Scorer Reynoldson and Mabel Matilda (Sallach) Reynoldson; married, December 24, 1942, to Janet Aline Mills (died 1986); married, June 3, 1989, to Patricia A. Frey.
  Robert Glenmore Simmons (1891-1969) — also known as Robert G. Simmons — of Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff County, Neb. Born near Scottsbluff, Scotts Bluff County, Neb., December 25, 1891. Republican. Lawyer; Scotts Bluff County Attorney, 1916-17; served in the U.S. Army during World War I; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 6th District, 1923-33; candidate for U.S. Senator from Nebraska, 1934, 1936; chief justice of Nebraska state supreme court, 1938-63. Congregationalist. Member, American Bar Association; American Legion; Freemasons; Shriners; Order of the Coif. Died in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb., December 27, 1969 (age 78 years, 2 days). Interment at Fairview Cemetery, Scottsbluff, Neb.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page
  Kenneth M. Stevens (1892-1965) — of Detroit, Wayne County, Mich. Born in Dorchester, Saline County, Neb., September 23, 1892. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; lawyer; member of University of Michigan board of regents, 1948-55; delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 1948. Member, American Legion. Died, of a heart attack, 1965 (age about 72 years). Interment somewhere in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
  Charles Thone (b. 1924) — also known as Charley Thone — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Hartington, Cedar County, Neb., January 4, 1924. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; lawyer; delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1952, 1960, 1972 (delegation chair), 2004; Presidential Elector for Nebraska, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1968, 1992; administrative assistant to U.S. Senator Roman Hruska, 1954-59; Nebraska Republican state chair, 1959-61; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 1st District, 1971-79; Governor of Nebraska, 1979-83. Member, American Legion; Jaycees. Still living as of 2009.
  Relatives: Married, August 16, 1953, to Ruth Raymond.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page — National Governors Association biography — NNDB dossier
  T. Eugene Thornton (b. 1911) — of Waterloo, Black Hawk County, Iowa. Born in Omaha, Douglas County, Neb., June 27, 1911. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; justice of Iowa state supreme court, 1959-67. Catholic. Member, Knights of Columbus; Elks; American Legion; Amvets. Presumed deceased. Burial location unknown.
  William Grandison Utterback (b. 1891) — also known as William G. Utterback — of Nebraska City, Otoe County, Neb. Born in Nebraska City, Otoe County, Neb., December 8, 1891. Son of Lucian P. Utterback and Emma S. (Payne) Utterback. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; insurance agent; alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1932. Episcopalian. Member, Phi Kappa Psi; American Legion; Sons of the American Revolution; Eagles. Burial location unknown.
  Robert Van Pelt (b. 1897) — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in Cambridge, Furnas County, Neb., September 9, 1897. Son of F. M. Van Pelt and Sarah (Simon) Van Pelt. Republican. Lawyer; delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1940, 1944, 1948. Congregationalist. Member, Phi Sigma Kappa; Phi Delta Phi; American Bar Association; Rotary; Freemasons; Shriners; Woodmen; American Legion; Delta Sigma Rho. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, June 17, 1925, to Mildred Carter.
  Frederick H. Wagener (1898-1982) — of Lincoln, Lancaster County, Neb. Born in O'Fallon, St. Clair County, Ill., November 27, 1898. Son of John A. F. Wagener and Hester (Rable) Wagener. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; lawyer; secretary of Nebraska Republican Party, 1936-37; secretary to U.S. Sen. Kenneth S. Wherry, 1943-46; Lancaster County Attorney, 1947; delegate to Republican National Convention from Nebraska, 1948. Congregationalist. Member, Beta Theta Pi; Phi Delta Phi; American Legion; Lions; Elks; Optimist Club; Freemasons; Scottish Rite Masons; Shriners. Died in 1982 (age about 83 years). Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, October 25, 1925, to Ella E. Hardin.
  Boyd Wales (b. 1873) — of Howard, Miner County, S.Dak. Born in Brownville, Nemaha County, Neb., August 10, 1873. Son of Prescutt Wales and Phebe (Cunningham) Wales. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War; colonel in the U.S. Army during World War I; delegate to Republican National Convention from South Dakota, 1924. Unitarian. Member, Woodmen; Freemasons; Knights Templar; Order of the Eastern Star; Shriners; American Legion; Knights of Pythias; United Spanish War Veterans. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married to May Furman.
  Otto F. Walter (b. 1890) — of Columbus, Platte County, Neb. Born in Aurora, Kane County, Ill., April 19, 1890. Son of William J. Walter and Anna M. (Fasoldt) Walter. Democrat. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Navy during World War I; delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1924, 1928. Catholic. Member, Delta Chi; American Legion; Lions; Elks; Knights of Columbus. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, October 16, 1919, to Gertrude Bloom.
  Phillip Hart Weaver (1919-1989) — also known as Phil Weaver — of Falls City, Richardson County, Neb. Born in Falls City, Richardson County, Neb., April 9, 1919. Son of Arthur J. Weaver and Evelyn Maude (Hart) Weaver. Republican. Radio announcer; served in the U.S. Army during World War II; insurance business; automobile dealer; U.S. Representative from Nebraska 1st District, 1955-63; defeated, 1962. Presbyterian. Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Alpha Tau Omega; Freemasons; Shriners; Elks. Died in 1989 (age about 70 years). Interment at Steele Cemetery, Falls City, Neb.
  Relatives: Grandson of Archibald Jerard Weaver; son of Arthur J. Weaver and Evelyn Maude (Hart) Weaver; brother of Arthur J. Weaver, Jr.; married, April 6, 1946, to Betty Jane Burner. See Weaver family of Nebraska.
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page
  Adolph Eilert Wenke (b. 1898) — also known as Adolph E. Wenke — of Stanton, Stanton County, Neb. Born in Pender, Thurston County, Neb., January 22, 1898. Son of Frederick Wenke and Henrietta (Athen) Wenke. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; lawyer; alternate delegate to Democratic National Convention from Nebraska, 1936; district judge in Nebraska 9th District, 1938-43; appointed 1938; justice of Nebraska state supreme court, 1943-. Congregationalist. German ancestry. Member, American Bar Association; Sigma Phi Epsilon; Phi Delta Phi; Sigma Delta Chi; American Legion; Elks; Freemasons. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, June 7, 1925, to Gertrude H. Bauer.
  Victor Westermark (b. 1895) — also known as Vic Westermark — of Benkelman, Dundy County, Neb. Born in Oakland, Burt County, Neb., June 16, 1895. Son of Nels R. Westermark and Emma S. (Jonson) Westermark. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; school teacher; lawyer; chair of Dundy County Republican Party, 1940. Member, American Legion; Freemasons; Delta Theta Phi. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, September 4, 1926, to Corrinne M. Robidoux.
  Kenneth Spicer Wherry (1892-1951) — also known as Kenneth S. Wherry — of Pawnee City, Pawnee County, Neb. Born in Liberty, Gage County, Neb., February 28, 1892. Son of David Emery Wherry and Jessie (Comstock) Wherry. Republican. Served in the U.S. Navy during World War I; furniture merchant; funeral director; automobile dealer; member of Nebraska state senate, 1929-31; Nebraska Republican state chair, 1939-42; U.S. Senator from Nebraska, 1943-51; died in office 1951; speaker, Republican National Convention, 1948. Presbyterian. Member, American Bar Association; American Legion; Freemasons; Shriners; Lions; Kiwanis; Beta Theta Pi. Died in Washington, D.C., November 29, 1951 (age 59 years, 274 days). Interment at Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Neb.
  Relatives: Married, September 15, 1920, to Marjorie Colwell.
  Cross-reference: Frederick H. Wagener
  See also congressional biography — Govtrack.us page
  Alfred Alvin Wiegardt (b. 1899) — also known as Alfred Wiegardt — of Ord, Valley County, Neb. Born in Elyria, Valley County, Neb., January 2, 1899. Son of Anton Frederick Augustus Wiegardt and Elsie (Madsen) Wiegardt. Democrat. Served in the U.S. Army during World War I; chair of Valley County Democratic Party, 1940. Christian. Member, American Legion. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married 1920 to Jessie Marie Purcell.
  James Madison Woodard (b. 1881) — also known as J. M. Woodard — of Aurora, Hamilton County, Neb. Born in St. Joseph, Buchanan County, Mo., September 30, 1881. Son of Daniel S. Woodard and Sarah Ann (Casteel) Woodard. Democrat. Physician; served in the U.S. Army during World War I; medical examiner and surgeon for Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad; chair of Hamilton County Democratic Party, 1940. Member, Delta Tau Delta; American Legion; Forty and Eight; Rotary; Freemasons; Knights Templar; Shriners; American Medical Association. Burial location unknown.
  Presumably named for: James Madison
  Relatives: Married, December 8, 1908, to Mabel Edna Biggs.
  John Walter Yeager (b. 1891) — also known as John W. Yeager — of Omaha, Douglas County, Neb. Born in Richland, Spencer County, Ind., March 1, 1891. Son of Wilhelm Carl Yeager and Laura Elizabeth (Barton) Yeager. Lawyer; served in the U.S. Army during World War I; district judge in Nebraska 4th District, 1933-; justice of Nebraska state supreme court, 1940-. Presbyterian. German and Scotch-Irish ancestry. Member, Freemasons; Shriners; Elks; Knights of Pythias; Odd Fellows; Eagles; American Legion; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Bar Association; Delta Theta Phi. Burial location unknown.
  Relatives: Married, June 28, 1922, to Lena E. Deeg.
  Evelle Jansen Younger (1918-1989) — also known as Evelle J. Younger — of California. Born in Stamford, Harlan County, Neb., June 19, 1918. Son of Harry C. Younger and Maebel (Jansen) Younger. Republican. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II; FBI agent; lawyer; municipal judge in California, 1953-58; superior court judge in California, 1958-64; Los Angeles County District Attorney, 1964-70; California state attorney general, 1971-79; delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1972; candidate for Governor of California, 1978. Episcopalian. Member, American Bar Association; Freemasons; Shriners; American Legion; Alpha Tau Omega; Elks. Died, of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, Calif., May 4, 1989 (age 70 years, 319 days). Interment at Los Angeles National Cemetery, Westwood, Los Angeles, Calif.
  Relatives: Married, July 3, 1942, to Mildred Eberhard.
  See also Internet Movie Database profile

 

 


 
   
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The Political Graveyard

The Political Graveyard is a web site about U.S. political history and cemeteries. Founded in 1996, it is the Internet's most comprehensive free source for American political biography, listing 234,420 politicians, living and dead.
 
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