Iowa Almanac
Iowa Almanac -- Thursday, November 21, 2024
A governor loses his life. More from the Iowa Almanac in a moment. Happy Holidays! This is Michael Swanger, owner of Iowa History Journal. Tis the season for giving gifts and a subscription to Iowa History Journal is a great gift for the special Iowa on your holiday shopping list. For less than 20 dollars you can give someone a gift that lasts the entire year. Also, pick up our November/December issue on newsstands at Ivy, Barnes & Noble and books a million. To subscribe call us at 515-490-7325 or visit Iowa History Journal dot com in order today. William Beardsley was born in Beacon in Mahaska County on May 13th of 1901. He established a career in the retail drug business and also raised cattle and hogs on his farm near New Virginia. He entered politics in 1933 serving 8 years in the Iowa Senate and 2 years in the Iowa House. It was during that return to public service in 1946 that he became opposed to the labor and education policies of a fellow Republican, Governor Robert Blue. Beardsley wound up challenging the incumbent in the 1948 primary and won his party's nomination. Iowans then elected him as the state's 31st governor that fall. During his time in office the highway patrol was expanded, workers compensation benefits were increased and a World War II veterans bonus was authorized. Beardsley was re-elected in 1950 and 1952 but opted not to seek a fourth term in 1954. It was on November 21st, 1954 that Governor Bill Beardsley and his wife Charlotte traveled by car to Ames to visit one of their five children who was a student at Iowa State University. On their way home that Sunday night just two miles north of Des Moines on Iowa Highway 60 Governor Beardsley drove his car into the back of a truck. He was killed instantly and his wife was seriously injured. Lieutenant Governor Leo Elthon drove through the night from his home in fertile to Des Moines to take the oath of office early the next morning serving the final 52 days of Beardsley's term. His career in public service was well respected but sadly most remember 53 year old Governor William Beardsley for being the only Iowa governor to die in office in a car accident near Des Moines on this date in 1954. And that's Iowa Almanac for November 21st. There's more online at IowaAlmanac.com. Until tomorrow, I'm Jeff Stein.