Vera C. Bushfield
Vera Cahalan Bushfield | |
---|---|
Karl E. Mundt | |
First Lady of South Dakota | |
In office January 3, 1939 – January 5, 1943 | |
Governor | Harlan J. Bushfield |
Preceded by | Elizabeth Ward Jensen |
Succeeded by | Emily Auld Sharpe |
Personal details | |
Born | Miller, South Dakota, U.S. | August 9, 1889
Died | April 16, 1976 Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S. | (aged 86)
Resting place | Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Miller, South Dakota |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | |
Children | 3 |
Education | University of Wisconsin, Stout (BA) Dakota Wesleyan University University of Minnesota, Twin Cities |
Vera Sarah Bushfield (née Cahalan, August 9, 1889 – April 16, 1976) was an American politician served as a U.S. senator from South Dakota in 1948, as well as the First Lady of South Dakota from 1939 to 1943. Bushfield's appointment also marked the first time one state had been represented by two female senators; Gladys Pyle served for two months in late 1938 and early 1939.
Early life
Vera Sarah Cahalan was born in
On April 15, 1912, Cahalan married Harlan J. Bushfield, who was also a resident of Miller, and the Bushfields continued to reside there.[1] The Bushfields were the parents of three children; Mary, John, and Harlan Jr.[1]
First lady of South Dakota
Harlan Bushfield was an attorney and Republican Party official who served as Governor of South Dakota from 1939 to 1943.[1] During his governorship, Vera Bushfield was the official sponsor of USS South Dakota (BB-57), a World War II ship launched in Camden, New Jersey on June 7, 1941.[2]
After serving as governor, Harlan Bushfield served as a U.S. Senator beginning in 1943.
U.S. Senator
On October 6, 1948, Vera Bushfield was appointed to the Senate to temporarily fill the vacancy caused by her husband's death.[1] Governor George T. Mickelson appointed her with the understanding that she would resign before the end of the term.[1] During her tenure, the Senate was not in session, so Bushfield chose to remain in Pierre with a small staff and attend to constituent services rather than travel to Washington, D.C.[1]
Mundt won the November election, and Bushfield resigned on December 26, 1948.[1] Her resignation enabled Mickelson to appoint Mundt, giving him a few days of seniority over other senators elected in 1948, whose terms began in January 1949.[1]
Later life
Bushfield maintained an interest in politics.
In 1961, Bushfield took advantage of the
Vera Bushfield died in Fort Collins, Colorado, on April 16, 1976.[1] She is buried at the G.A.R. Cemetery in Miller.[6]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-1607-6753-1 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Gevik, Brian (April 30, 2018). "The Double Christening of the Battleship South Dakota, 1941". SDPB.org. Vermillion, SD: South Dakota Public Broadcasting.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pach, Chester J. Jr. (2021). "Dwight Eisenhower: Campaigns and Elections; The Campaign and Election of 1952". Miller Center. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ISBN 978-0-1600-6384-8 – via Google Books.
External links
- United States Congress. "Vera C. Bushfield (id: B001169)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Vera C. Bushfield at Find a Grave