Arnold Williams (American politician)

Arnold Williams
Secretary of State of Idaho
In office
January 5, 1959  March 29, 1966
Preceded by James H. Young
Succeeded by Louis E. Clapp
21st Governor of Idaho
In office
November 17, 1945  January 6, 1947
Lieutenant A. R. McCabe
Preceded by Charles Gossett
Succeeded by C. A. Robins
26th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
In office
January 1, 1945  November 17, 1945
Governor Charles C. Gossett
Preceded by Edwin Nelson
Succeeded by Vacant
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
In office
1936
Personal details
Born (1898-05-21)May 21, 1898
Fillmore, Utah
Died May 25, 1970(1970-05-25) (aged 72)
Idaho Falls, Idaho[1]
Resting place Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Nationality United States
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Luella Huskinson
(19001993)
Children 2
Residence Rexburg
Profession Dry cleaner
Religion The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch U.S. Army
Rank Private
Unit Infantry
Battles/wars World War I

Arnold Williams (May 21, 1898 – May 25, 1970), served as the 21st Governor of Idaho from 1945 until 1947.[1]

Biography

Born in Fillmore, Utah, Williams attended its public school and went to Hennagers Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah.[2] He married Luella Huskinson and they had two children.[2]

Career

Williams served in the U.S. Army during World War I, in the infantry. After his discharge, he established a successful dry cleaning business in Rexburg, Idaho. After serving at the local and county level, he was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives in 1936 and served several terms.

Williams was elected as the 26th lieutenant governor of Idaho in 1944. He became governor in November 1945 to finish the unexpired term of Charles Gossett, who resigned after ten months and was subsequently appointed by Williams to the U.S. Senatte seat left vacant by the death of John W. Thomas. Williams became the state's first Mormon governor and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1946,[3][4] but was defeated in the general election by Republican C. A. Robins, a physician from St. Maries.[5][6][7]

Idaho Gubernatorial Elections: Results 1946
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
1946 Arnold Williams (inc.) 79,131 43.6% C. A. Robins 102,233 56.4%

Williams was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Idaho in 1948,[8] and later was elected secretary of state of Idaho in 1958, and served until 1966.[8][9]

Death

Williams died at age 72 in Idaho Falls on May 25, 1970,[1][10] and is interred at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ex-Governor of Gem State dies at 72". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. May 26, 1970. p. 1.
  2. 1 2 "Arnold Williams". National Governors Association. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  3. "Winners in primary election". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. (photos). June 12, 1946.
  4. "Unofficial results on primary election". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. June 13, 1946.
  5. "GOP nears House control in landslide". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. November 6, 1946. p. 1.
  6. Partridge, Harve (November 6, 1946). "Northern Idaho medic selected to guide state". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. p. 1.
  7. "Vote for Governor by counties". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. November 7, 1946. p. 2.
  8. 1 2 "Arnold Williams". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  9. "Idaho official will bow out". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. March 23, 1966. p. 6.
  10. "Idaho flags to be lowered". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. May 26, 1970. p. 5.
  11. "Arnold Williams". Find A Grave. Retrieved 23 September 2012.

External links


Political offices
Preceded by
Edwin Nelson
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
January 1, 1945 – November 17, 1945
Succeeded by
A. R. McCabe
Preceded by
Charles C. Gossett
Governor of Idaho
November 17, 1945 – January 6, 1947
Succeeded by
C. A. Robins
Preceded by
James H. Young
Secretary of State of Idaho
January 5, 1959 – March 29, 1966
Succeeded by
Louis E. Clapp
Party political offices
Preceded by
Charles C. Gossett
Democratic Party nominee, Governor of Idaho
1946 (lost)
Succeeded by
Calvin E. Wright
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