William J. Bulow

William John Bulow
United States Senator
from South Dakota
In office
March 4, 1931 – January 3, 1943
Preceded by William H. McMaster
Succeeded by Harlan J. Bushfield
12th Governor of South Dakota
In office
January 4, 1927 – January 6, 1931
Preceded by Carl Gunderson
Succeeded by Warren Green
Member of the South Dakota Senate
In office
1899
Personal details
Born (1869-01-13)January 13, 1869
Moscow, Ohio
Died February 26, 1960(1960-02-26) (aged 91)
Washington, D.C.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s)
  • Katherine Reedy
  • Sarah Johnson Farrand
Alma mater University of Michigan
Profession Attorney
Religion Lutheranism

William John Bulow (January 13, 1869 – February 26, 1960) was an American politician and a lawyer. He was the first Democratic Governor of South Dakota, receiving the highest vote ever received by a Democratic candidate for governor up to that time,[1] and then went on to serve as a member of the United States Senate.

Biography

Bulow was born of German ancestry to Joseph and Elizabeth (Ebendorf) Bulow near Moscow in Clermont County, Ohio, where he was raised and educated. In 1893, he graduated with a law degree from the University of Michigan.[2] He was twice married - to Katherine J. Reedy and to Sarah (Johnson) Farrand.[3]

Career

During 1893, Bulow moved to South Dakota. He resided in Sioux Falls, where he worked for the Joe Kirby office. Then, he came by horse and carriage to Beresford, where he set up his own law office and helped to develop the town. He was elected to the state senate of the South Dakota Legislature in 1898.[1] While residing in Beresford, Bulow spent twenty-five years as city attorney from 1902 to 1927, except while serving as mayor from 1912 to 1913. He also served as County Judge for Beresford in 1918. Bulow ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1924, but won in 1926,[1] and served as Governor of South Dakota from 1927 to 1931 and as a member of the US Senate from 1931 to 1943. As governor, he pardoned the famous frontier gambler Poker Alice after her conviction of bootlegging and other charges related to running a house of prostitution.

During his entire life, Bulow kept a legal residence in Beresford, South Dakota and voted by absentee ballot. He was defeated for renomination for a third term in the South Dakota Democratic primary by former Governor Tom Berry. Buhlow then retired and spent the rest of his life residing at 3901 Connecticut Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. Bulow spent his last few years in failing health and was blind during his last four years. He was a member of the Alfalfa Club.[4]

Beresford honored William J. Bulow in 1959 during the town's seventy-five year jubilee observance. The city's park was dedicated as "Bulow Park" on June 3, 1959.

Death and legacy

Almost nine months later, Bulow died in Washington D. C. District of Columbia, USA;[5] and, his body was returned to Beresford for burial at the St. John Catholic Cemetery, where he was interred next to his first wife, Katherine (Reedy) Bulow (January 29, 1875 – September 17, 1918). Years later, Bulow's house in Beresford, South Dakota was declared a historic landmark (Governor William J. Bulow House).

References

  1. 1 2 3 South Dakota Manual, 1927, p.235
  2. ↑ "William J. Bulow". National Governors Association. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  3. ↑ "William J. Bulow". National Governors Association. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  4. ↑ Alfalfa Club
  5. ↑ "William J. Bulow". Find A Grave. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
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Political offices
Preceded by
Ole Ofstad		 Mayor of Beresford, South Dakota
1912–1913 		Succeeded by
S. O. Steensland
Preceded by
Carl Gunderson		 Governor of South Dakota
1927–1931 		Succeeded by
Warren Green
United States Senate
Preceded by
William H. McMaster		 United States Senator (Class 2) from South Dakota
1931–1943 		Succeeded by
Harlan J. Bushfield
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