Ragnvald A. Nestos
| Ragnvold Anderson Nestos | |
|---|---|
| 13th Governor of North Dakota | |
| In office 1921–1925 |
|
| Lieutenant | Howard R. Wood (1921-1922) Frank H. Hyland (1923-1924) |
| Preceded by | Lynn Frazier |
| Succeeded by | Arthur G. Sorlie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 12, 1877 Voss, Norway |
| Died | July 15, 1942 (aged 65) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Religion | Evangelical Lutheran |
Ragnvald Anderson Nestos (April 12, 1877 – July 15, 1942) was the 13th Governor of the U.S. state of North Dakota from 1921 through 1925.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Ragnvold Anderson Nestos was a native of Voss, Norway. He was the son of Andres R. Nestos and Herborg (Saue) Nestos. One of ten children, he was sixteen and spoke no English when he came to the United States (passenger on board the S.S. British Prince, which sailed from Liverpool, and arrived at the Port of Philadelphia, May 31, 1893) to live with his aunt and uncle at Buxton, North Dakota. He entered the first grade at Buxton and attended school in between working odd jobs and working at lumber camps out of state. Four years later, in 1897, he passed the teachers' examinations and taught in a country school. He completed studies at Mayville Normal School (teachers' college) while homesteading in Pierce County. In 1904 he graduated from the University of North Dakota and moved to Minot, where he began practicing law with attorney C. A. Johnson.[1]
[edit] Political career
Nestos was a member of the Independent Voters Association, running on the Republican ticket. He was a member of North Dakota State House of Representatives, 1911–12; Ward County State's Attorney, 1913–16; and primary candidate for U.S. Senator from North Dakota, 1916. He gained office when Governor Lynn Frazier was defeated in the first successful attempt to recall a governor in U.S. history. Frazier's term was plagued with controversy and a grassroots movement had begun to press for his recall. The recall election that removed Governor Lynn Frazier had also removed two other members of the Industrial Commission from office. It was a time of bitter political discontent and bickering between the NPL (Nonpartisan League, which supported state-owned industry) and the IVA (Independent Voters Association, which opposed state ownership of Industries). Nestos worked hard to make the new state-owned businesses (State Mill and Elevator and the Bank of North Dakota) a success. He also campaigned against illiteracy. During his administration, North Dakota came into national compliance for registering births and deaths, and North Dakota had a full-time health officer for the first time. He ran for and completed a second term of office.[2]
Nestos never married. He received national recognition for his work on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a Silver Buffalo Award Winner (1942).[3] He was also active within the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America.
[edit] References
[edit] Other sources
- Gunderson, Carl M. Ringen Historie om guvernør Ragnvald Nestos med hans stamtavle : Førhenverende guvernør og senator av North Dakota, U.S.A. (Los Angeles, 1964)Norwegian
[edit] External links
- Biography of Ragnvold A. Nestos from the Historical Society of North Dakota website
- Burial record for Ragnvald A. Nestos at Findagrave.com
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lynn Frazier |
Governor of North Dakota 1921–1925 |
Succeeded by Arthur G. Sorlie |
|
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- 1877 births
- 1942 deaths
- Members of the North Dakota House of Representatives
- Governors of North Dakota
- University of North Dakota alumni
- American people of Norwegian descent
- American Lutherans
- North Dakota Republicans
- Norwegian emigrants to the United States
- People from Voss
- People from Traill County, North Dakota
- People from Ward County, North Dakota
