Arnold Williams (American politician)

Arnold Williams (May 21, 1898 – May 25, 1970) was an American politician and businessman who served as the 21st Governor of Idaho from 1945 until 1947.[1] He later served as Secretary of State of Idaho from 1959 until 1966. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Arnold Williams
From 1946's The Gem of the Mountains, the yearbook of the University of Idaho
Secretary of State of Idaho
In office January 5, 1959 – March 29, 1966
Governor	Robert E. Smylie
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	May 21, 1898 Fillmore, Utah
Died	May 25, 1970 (aged 72) Idaho Falls, Idaho[1]
Resting place	Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery, Idaho Falls
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Luella Huskinson (1900–1993)
Children	2
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Rank	Private
Unit	Infantry
Battles/wars	World War I

Early life and education

Born in Fillmore, Utah, Williams attended its public school and went to Hennagers Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah.[2]

Career

Williams served in the United States Army during World War I. 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. Senate 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]

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]

Personal life

He married Luella Huskinson and they had two children.[2] 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.

References

1. "Ex-Governor of Gem State dies at 72". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. May 26, 1970. p. 1.
2. "Arnold Williams". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 23, 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. "Arnold Williams". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved September 23, 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.

External links

• National Governors Association
• The Political Graveyard
• Arnold Williams at Find a Grave