Robert S. Vessey
Encyclopedia
Robert Scadden Vessey was the seventh Governor
of South Dakota
. Vessey, a Republican from Wessington Springs
, served from 1909 to 1913.
in Winnebago County, Wisconsin
. For a brief time, he studied at Oshkosh Commercial College before spending the next five years as a lumberjack in northern Wisconsin
.
Vessey married Florence Albert on August 27, 1882. The couple moved to a "squatters claim" in what is now known as Pleasant Township, Jerauld County, South Dakota
. They had four children.
Vessey became a member of the South Dakota State Senate in the 1905 and 1907 state legislatures. In January 1908, he was elected president of the senate. Despite limited abilities as a public speaker, he successfully guided Progressive measures through the state senate.
Vessey's candidacy for governor was supported in large part due to his solid record in the state senate. As governor, he worked to keep peace among South Dakota Progressives and sought to
enhance control of government through the direct primary law. He was also the first governor to proclaim Mothers’ Day as a public observance.
In 1910, Vessey's bid for a second term as governor was threatened by an independent candidate named George W. Egan
. In spite of Egan's popularity with voters, Vessey beat both Egan and former governor Samuel H. Elrod
to receive the Republican nomination. He went on to defeat the Democratic candidate, Chauncey L. Wood, in the general election.
Governor of South Dakota
The Governor of South Dakota is the head of the executive branch of the government of South Dakota. They are elected to a four year term on even years when there is no Presidential election. The current governor is Dennis Daugaard, a Republican elected in 2010....
of South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
. Vessey, a Republican from Wessington Springs
Wessington Springs, South Dakota
Wessington Springs is a city in Jerauld County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 956 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Jerauld County.-Geography:Wessington Springs is located at ....
, served from 1909 to 1913.
Biography
Vessey was born to Charles and Jane Elizabeth Vessey. His father was a Methodist lay preacher; and, his mother was an English immigrant. Vessey was raised and educated near OshkoshOshkosh, Wisconsin
As of the census of 2000, there were 62,916 people, 24,082 households, and 13,654 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,662.2 people per square mile . There were 25,420 housing units at an average density of 1,075.6 per square mile...
in Winnebago County, Wisconsin
Winnebago County, Wisconsin
Winnebago County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2009, the population estimate was 163,370. Its county seat is Oshkosh. Winnebago County is included in the Oshkosh, Wisconsin-Neenah, Wisconsin, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. For a brief time, he studied at Oshkosh Commercial College before spending the next five years as a lumberjack in northern Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
Vessey married Florence Albert on August 27, 1882. The couple moved to a "squatters claim" in what is now known as Pleasant Township, Jerauld County, South Dakota
Jerauld County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,295 people, 987 households, and 651 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile . There were 1,167 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile . The racial makeup of the county was 99.00% White,...
. They had four children.
Vessey became a member of the South Dakota State Senate in the 1905 and 1907 state legislatures. In January 1908, he was elected president of the senate. Despite limited abilities as a public speaker, he successfully guided Progressive measures through the state senate.
Vessey's candidacy for governor was supported in large part due to his solid record in the state senate. As governor, he worked to keep peace among South Dakota Progressives and sought to
enhance control of government through the direct primary law. He was also the first governor to proclaim Mothers’ Day as a public observance.
In 1910, Vessey's bid for a second term as governor was threatened by an independent candidate named George W. Egan
George W. Egan
George W. Egan was a colorful and controversial political figure. He was a discredited attorney from Sioux Falls, South Dakota.George Egan threatened the attempt by Robert S. Vessey to receive the Republican nomination for Governor of South Dakota in 1910. In spite of controversy, Egan became...
. In spite of Egan's popularity with voters, Vessey beat both Egan and former governor Samuel H. Elrod
Samuel H. Elrod
Samuel Harrison Elrod was the fifth Governor of South Dakota. Elrod, a Republican from Clark, South Dakota, served from 1905 to 1907.-Biography:...
to receive the Republican nomination. He went on to defeat the Democratic candidate, Chauncey L. Wood, in the general election.
External links
- Robert S. Vessey's historical listing
- Commentary on Governor Vessey: "Our Governor"
- True Dakotan - April 29, 2009: "May 10 Mother’s Day will observe 100th anniversary of proclamation that was signed by Gov. Vessey"
- New York Times - November 21, 1910: "Just Like Westerners; Gov. Vessey of South Dakota Says Financial Bonds Are Uniting All"
- Portrait of Robert S. Vessey