Ralph Herseth

Ralph Herseth (HM24NI)

Location: Houghton, SD 57449 Brown County
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Country: United States of America
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N 45° 45.764', W 98° 12.657'

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Inscription

Twenty-First Governor

Ralph Herseth, 1909 - 1969, was born on a ranch near Houghten and grew to manhood here. He graduated from Columbia High School and attended North Dakota State College. As a farmer - rancher, he raised wheat, corn, and Aberdeen Angus cattle and liked to be regarded as a typical second-generation son of the soil. He also operated a farm implement business in Hecla. In 1937 he married his high school sweetheart Lorna Buntrock of Columbia, she served as South Dakota's Secretary of State 1972 - 1978. They had three children: Karen, Connie, and Lars.

Ralph served as officer or director of the Northern Electric Cooperative, the James Valley Telephone Cooperative, the Houghton Elevator, and many civic betterment organizations of Brown County. He was a Life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

As State Senator in 1951 - 52 and 1955 - 56, his abilities brought him into the political limelight. In 1958 he was elected Governor, becoming only the third Democratic Governor in state history. His governorship was marked by compassion and honesty, firmness and aggressive purpose. The first state-wide teachers' retirement benefit program was established under his leadership. This roadside park is a fitting place to honor a distinguished citizen who merited state and national recognition.
Details
HM NumberHM24NI
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Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 at 7:02am PST -08:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)14T E 561358 N 5067988
Decimal Degrees45.76273333, -98.21095000
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 45° 45.764', W 98° 12.657'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds45° 45' 45.84" N, 98° 12' 39.42" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)605
Which side of the road?Marker is on the right when traveling East
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 40083-40087 SD-10, Houghton SD 57449, US
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