Appointed by John E. Davis Religion Lutheran Resigned January 9, 1957 Political party Republican Succeeded by Quentin N. Burdick | Preceded by Fred G. Aandahl Education Luther College Preceded by William Langer Name Clarence Brunsdale | |
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Lieutenant Ray Schnell
Clarence P. Dahl Born July 9, 1891
Steele County, North Dakota ( 1891-07-09 ) Role Former Governor of North Dakota Died January 27, 1978, Mayville, North Dakota, United States Party North Dakota Republican Party Previous office Governor of North Dakota (1951–1957) | ||
Clarence Norman Brunsdale (July 9, 1891 – January 27, 1978) was the 24th Governor of North Dakota and a United States Senator from the state of North Dakota.
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Biography
Clarence Norman Brunsdale was born in Sherbrooke, Steele County, North Dakota. he was the son of Knute H. Brunsdale (1855-1899) and Anna Margaret (Nordgaard) Brunsdale (1860-1927), both of whom were of Norwegian immigrant heritage. He was educated in public schools and the Bruflat Academy at Portland, North Dakota. In 1913, he graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He returned to Portland, teaching at Bruflat Academy and worked the family farm operations in Traill and Steele counties.
Career
Brunsdale served in the North Dakota State Senate (1927–34, 1941–51). He was an alternate delegate to Republican National Convention from North Dakota (1940) and a member of Republican National Committee from North Dakota, (1948–52). He was Governor of North Dakota from 1951 to 1957 and U.S. Senator from November 19, 1959 to August 7, 1960. As governor, Brunsdale was an avid supporter of water development projects. During his administration Garrison Dam was completed and the Legislature established the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District. The early 1950s also saw the establishment of the Highway Department and the passage of major highway legislation. Education, agriculture, and mental health issues were also important to Governor Brunsdale. In 1959, Brunsdale was appointed to the United States Senate upon the death of Senator William Langer. Brunsdale was not a candidate for election to the vacancy and Quentin N. Burdick was narrowly elected to the seat in a 1960 special election.
Personal life
He was married to Carrie Lajord (1890-1982) on August 30, 1925, and they had two daughters, Margaret Marie (Larson) and Helen Lucille (Williams). Brunsdale died at Mayville, North Dakota in 1978. He was buried in Mayville Cemetery, Mayville, Traill County, North Dakota.