Harlan John Bushfield | |
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United States Senator from South Dakota |
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In office January 3, 1943 – September 27, 1948 |
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Preceded by | William J. Bulow |
Succeeded by | Vera C. Bushfield |
16th Governor of South Dakota | |
In office January 3, 1939 – January 5, 1943 |
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Preceded by | Leslie Jensen |
Succeeded by | Merrill Q. Sharpe |
Personal details | |
Born |
Atlantic, Iowa |
August 6, 1882
Died | September 27, 1948 Miller, South Dakota |
(aged 66)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Vera C. Bushfield (1912–1948) |
Alma mater | University of Minnesota |
Occupation | Attorney |
Harlan John Bushfield (August 6, 1882 – September 27, 1948) was an American politician from South Dakota. He served as the 16th Governor of South Dakota and as a United States Senator.
Bushfield was born in Atlantic, Iowa in 1882. He moved with his family to South Dakota in 1883, and attended the public schools in Miller, South Dakota. He graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1901, and from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1904. He was admitted to the bar that same year and returned to Miller to practice. Bushfield married Vera Cahalan and they had three children.
A Republican, Bushfield was elected the 16th Governor of South Dakota in 1938, and reelected in 1940. He has been called "one of the state's most conservative governors ever." Governor Bushfield established a pattern of fiscal responsibility for his successors and used his financial abilities to reduce state operating costs.
In 1942, he ran for the United States Senate and won, serving from 1943 until his death in Miller, South Dakota, on September 27, 1948. His term was completed by his wife Vera C. Bushfield.
Senator Bushfield died from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1948 and was interred in G A R Cemetery, Miller, Hand County, South Dakota.