Forrest H. Anderson
Forrest H. Anderson | |
---|---|
Attorney General of Montana | |
In office January 7, 1957 – January 6, 1969 | |
Governor | J. Hugo Aronson Donald G. Nutter Tim Babcock |
Preceded by | Arnold Olsen |
Succeeded by | Robert L. Woodahl |
Justice of the Montana Supreme Court | |
In office 1953-1957 | |
Member of the Montana House of Representatives | |
In office 1943-1945 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Forrest Howard Anderson January 30, 1913 Helena, Montana, U.S. |
Died | July 20, 1989 Helena, Montana, U.S. | (aged 76)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Margaret Evelyn Samson |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | University of Montana Columbus School of Law |
Forrest Howard Anderson (January 30, 1913 – July 20, 1989) was an American politician, attorney, and judge who served as the
Biography
Anderson was born in Helena, Montana.[2] His father, Oscar Anderson, was an immigrant from Sweden and his mother, Mary O'Keefe, was an Irish immigrant. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Montana and obtained his law degree from the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1938. He married Margaret Evelyn Samson on January 24, 1941, and they had three children.[3]
Career
Anderson was a
As Attorney General, he came to prominence during the 1959 State Prison riot, when he personally negotiated with the prisoners. Running for Governor in 1968 he defeated the incumbent, Governor Tim Babcock, largely on an anti-sales tax platform notable for the campaign slogan, "Pay More, What For?"[3]
Elected as Governor of Montana in 1968, Anderson was sworn in on January 6, 1969, and served until January 1, 1973. In his influential and controversial single term in office, he considered his greatest accomplishment to be the reorganization of the executive branch: he oversaw the consolidation of 161 state agencies, boards, commissions and councils into 19 departments. He chaired the bipartisan Montana Commission on Executive Reorganization, which drafted the constitutional amendment to reduce the number of executive agencies. In the 1970 election, voters approved the amendment by a 70-percent margin. The reorganization effort faced opposition from the many boards slated to be dissolved. However, the legislature passed the necessary legislation by the last day of the 1971 session. Anderson called a special legislative session to finalize the details of implementation. On March 10, 1971, he signed the Executive Reorganization Law.[4]
The controversies he faced as governor included a major dispute with the Fish and Game Commission and its commissioner, Frank Dunkle, over environmental issues and sportsmen's access to state lands. The biggest political clash he faced occurred in 1971, when the
Anderson strongly supported and authorized the 1972
Anderson's critics accused him of making backroom deals for his own profit throughout his political career. They pointed to a real estate deal he made during his term as attorney general. Anderson bought property on
Later life
Anderson did not run for a second term because of poor health, and was succeeded in office by his lieutenant governor, Tom Judge.[3] In 1973 and 1974, he served on a regional economic commission. However, further public service became impossible as his health deteriorated. An operation to correct his hiatal hernia failed. In constant pain from an intestinal condition and forced to live on liquids, Anderson retired in 1974.[4]
In 1989, Anderson, who had been in failing health for years, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his home.[5][6] He was cremated and his ashes are interred in Forestvale Cemetery, Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana. The Forrest H. Anderson Memorial Bridge which crosses the Missouri River in Craig is named in his honor.[7] There is a marker at 47°04′13″N 111°57′22″W / 47.07023°N 111.956087°W near Craig close to the river and highway bridge which memorializes Anderson and his passion for fishing and hunting.[8]
References
- ^ "Former Governors of Montana". www.netstate.com. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Forrest H. Anderson". National Governors Association. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Montana Governor (1969-1972: Forrest H. Anderson) records, 1968-1972". Archives West. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- ^ JSTOR 24419880. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ "Forrest Anderson, Ex-Governor Of Montana, Kills Himself at 76". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 23, 1989. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
- ^ "Index to Politicians: Anderson, E to F". Political Graveyard. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
- ^ "Montana bridge dedicated to former governor". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. July 8, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
- ^ "Photo: Remembering Governor Forrest H. Anderson Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 4 August 2020.