Arnold Williams (American politician)

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Arnold Williams
Arnold Williams (Idaho Governor).jpg
From 1946's The Gem of the Mountains, the yearbook of the University of Idaho
Secretary of State of Idaho
In office
January 5, 1959 – March 29, 1966
GovernorRobert E. Smylie
Preceded byJames H. Young
Succeeded by
21st Governor of Idaho
In office
November 17, 1945 – January 6, 1947
LieutenantA. R. McCabe
Preceded byCharles Gossett
Succeeded byC. A. Robins
26th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
In office
January 1, 1945 – November 17, 1945
GovernorCharles C. Gossett
Preceded byEdwin Nelson
Succeeded byVacant
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
In office
1936
Personal details
Born(1898-05-21)May 21, 1898
Fillmore, Utah
DiedMay 25, 1970(1970-05-25) (aged 72)
Idaho Falls, Idaho[1]
Resting placeFielding Memorial Park Cemetery, Idaho Falls
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Luella Huskinson (1900–1993)
Children2
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
RankArmy-USA-OR-02.svg Private
UnitInfantry
Battles/warsWorld War I

Arnold Williams (May 21, 1898 – May 25, 1970) was an American politician and businessman who served as the 21st governor of Idaho from 1945 until 1947.[1] He later served as Secretary of State of Idaho from 1959 until 1966. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life and education[]

Born in Fillmore, Utah, Williams attended its public school and went to Hennagers Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah.[2]

Career[]

Williams served in the United States Army during World War I. After his discharge, he established a successful dry cleaning business in Rexburg, Idaho. After serving at the local and county level, he was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives in 1936 and served several terms.

Williams was elected as the 26th lieutenant governor of Idaho in 1944. He became governor in November 1945 to finish the unexpired term of Charles Gossett, who resigned after ten months and was subsequently appointed by Williams to the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of John W. Thomas. Williams became the state's first Mormon governor and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 1946,[3][4] but was defeated in the general election by Republican C. A. Robins, a physician from St. Maries.[5][6][7]

Williams was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Idaho in 1948,[8] and later was elected secretary of state of Idaho in 1958, and served until 1966.[8][9]

Personal life[]

He married Luella Huskinson and they had two children.[2] Williams died at age 72 in Idaho Falls on May 25, 1970,[1][10] and is interred at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Ex-Governor of Gem State dies at 72". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. May 26, 1970. p. 1.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Arnold Williams". National Governors Association. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  3. ^ "Winners in primary election". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. (photos). June 12, 1946.
  4. ^ "Unofficial results on primary election". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. June 13, 1946.
  5. ^ "GOP nears House control in landslide". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. November 6, 1946. p. 1.
  6. ^ Partridge, Harve (November 6, 1946). "Northern Idaho medic selected to guide state". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. p. 1.
  7. ^ "Vote for Governor by counties". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. November 7, 1946. p. 2.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "Arnold Williams". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  9. ^ "Idaho official will bow out". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. March 23, 1966. p. 6.
  10. ^ "Idaho flags to be lowered". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. May 26, 1970. p. 5.

External links[]


Political offices
Preceded by
Edwin Nelson 		Lieutenant Governor of Idaho
January 1, 1945 – November 17, 1945 		Succeeded by
A. R. McCabe
Preceded by
Charles C. Gossett 		Governor of Idaho
November 17, 1945 – January 6, 1947 		Succeeded by
C. A. Robins
Preceded by
James H. Young 		Secretary of State of Idaho
January 5, 1959 – March 29, 1966 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by
Charles C. Gossett 		Democratic Party nominee, Governor of Idaho
1946 (lost) 		Succeeded by
Calvin E. Wright
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