Nels+H.+Smith


 * Nels H. Smith **


 * Republican • Horton**
 * House of Representatives 1919-1920**
 * Governor 1939-1943**

Nels H. Smith was born in Gayville, South Dakota on August 27, 1884. He attended the common schools and the University of South Dakota. He ranched near Gettysburg, South Dakota from 1905 to 1907, when moved to Wyoming. In time, his ranch covered parts of Crook and Weston counties. Politically, Smith, a devout Republican, served as a county commissioner and school board member. On the state level, he was elected state representative in 1919 and governor in 1938. He was defeated for re-election in 1942. He later served on the State Highway Commission and the State Game and Fish Commission. He died on July 5, 1976 in Spearfish, South Dakota and is buried in the Green Mountain Cemetery at Sundance.

Smith married Marie S. Christensen on December 20, 1911. They had two sons (Peter and Christy).


 * [[file:Gov Smith inaugural Speech 1939 Wyo Eagle Jan 30000.pdf|Inaugural Speech 1939]]**
 * Message to the Legislature, 1939**
 * Message to the Legislature, 1941**

The [|Nels H. Smith Collection]
The records of Governor Smith's term in office include:
 * __General Records__
 * Visitor's Register - Golden Gate International Exposition
 * __Administrative Records__
 * Executive Orders
 * Expense Register
 * __Proclamations__
 * __Requisitions and Extraditions__
 * __Legislature__
 * [[file:1941 Message to the Legislature, Smith.pdf|Message to the Legislature, 1941]]

Additional Resources

 * [|Nels H. Smith Papers, 1926-1943], Collection Number 09880, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
 * [|Ranch A National Historic Site], purchased by Nels Smith in 1942
 * "A States' Rights Advocate: Governor Nels H. Smith," Wyoming Postscripts, Aug 27, 2015. (accessed 1/25/2016)