Carl Gunderson

Carl Gunderson (June 20, 1864[1] – February 26, 1933)[2] was the 11th Governor of South Dakota. Gunderson, a Republican from Mitchell, South Dakota, served from 1925 to 1927.

Carl Gunderson
11th Governor of South Dakota
In office January 6, 1925 – January 4, 1927
Lieutenant	Alva Clark Forney
Preceded by	William H. McMaster
Succeeded by	William J. Bulow
13th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
In office January 4, 1921 – January 6, 1925
Governor	William H. McMaster
Preceded by	William H. McMaster
Succeeded by	Alva Clark Forney
Personal details
Born	June 20, 1864 near Vermillion, Dakota Territory
Died	February 26, 1933 (aged 68) Mitchell, South Dakota
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Gertrude Bertleson
Alma mater	University of South Dakota Cornell University
Profession	Farmer

Biography

Gunderson was born in a log cabin in Clay County in the Dakota Territory,[3] near Vermillion. As a young man, he filed a claim on a homestead in Clay County that remained dear to him all his life. He stated that his occupation was a farmer all his life. He attended the University of South Dakota and Cornell University. He went into the mercantile business in Vermillion. He married Gertrude Bertleson and they had four children.[3]

Career

Gunderson served five terms in the state senate of the South Dakota Legislature, being elected in 1892, 1896, 1898, 1900, and again in 1916. Gunderson served as president pro tempore of the senate in the 1899 session and served as the 13th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota from 1921 to 1925 under Governor William H. McMaster. He was elected governor in 1924.[4]

William J. Bulow defeated Gunderson for re-election in 1926. Gunderson received 40.3 percent of the vote and Bulow received 47.4 percent. A third party candidate and an independent received the remainder of the tally[5] Gunderson had easily defeated Bulow in the election of 1924 by 70.2 percent of the vote to 29.8 percent.[6]

Death

After his defeat he returned to his home in Mitchell until his death on February 26, 1933.[7][8] He was buried on the tract of land that he had homesteaded,[9] Bluff View Cemetery, Vermillion, Clay County, South Dakota US.

References

1. South Dakota Manual, 1925, p. 261
2. Biographical Directory of the South Dakota Legislature, 1889–1989 (1989), p. 400
3. "Carl Gunderson". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 13, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2012.
4. Biographical Directory of the South Dakota Legislature, 1889–1989 (1989), p. 400
5. South Dakota Manual, 1927, p.216
6. South Dakota Manual, 1927, p.196
7. American Leaders, 1789–1994
8. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978
9. Biographical Directory of the South Dakota Legislature, 1889–1989 (1989), p. 400

External links

• National Governors Association
• Carl Gunderson at Find a Grave