John Woodrow Bonner (July 16, 1902 – March 28, 1970) was an American politician who served as the 13th Governor of Montana from January 3, 1949, to January 4, 1953. He was the first Governor of Montana to be born in the 20th century.
Bonner was born in Butte, Montana, and graduated from high school in Butte. He received both his undergraduate and law degree from Montana State University, which is now the University of Montana in Missoula. On February 3, 1929, he married Josephine Martin, and had five children, Jo, Jackie, Billie, Pat, and Tom, with her.
Careeredit
He served as counsel for the Montana Highway Commission from 1929 to 1936,[1] and as attorney for the Railroad and Public Service Commission from 1936 to 1940.[1]
After he returned from the War, he ran for Governor of Montana in 1948, winning the Democratic primary and advancing to the general election, where he defeated incumbent Republican Governor Sam C. Ford by a wide margin. Bonner ran for re-election in 1952, and he was narrowly defeated by State SenatorJ. Hugo Aronson. He ran for Governor again in 1956, but lost the Democratic primary to Arnold Olsen, who ended up losing to Aronson in the general election. In 1960, when United States Senator James E. Murray opted not to run for re-election, Bonner ran to succeed him, but, in a crowded primary, was defeated by Congressman Lee Metcalf, who would go on to serve in the United States Senate for three terms. From 1968 until his death, he served as an associate justice of the Montana Supreme Court.
john, bonner, john, woodrow, bonner, july, 1902, march, 1970, american, politician, served, 13th, governor, montana, from, january, 1949, january, 1953, first, governor, montana, born, 20th, century, 13th, governor, montanain, office, january, 1949, january, 1. John Woodrow Bonner July 16 1902 March 28 1970 was an American politician who served as the 13th Governor of Montana from January 3 1949 to January 4 1953 He was the first Governor of Montana to be born in the 20th century John W Bonner13th Governor of MontanaIn office January 3 1949 January 4 1953LieutenantPaul C CannonPreceded bySam C FordSucceeded byJ Hugo AronsonAttorney General of MontanaIn office 1941 1942GovernorSam C FordPreceded byHarrison K FreebournSucceeded byHoward M GullicksonPersonal detailsBorn 1902 07 16 July 16 1902Butte Montana USDiedMarch 28 1970 1970 03 28 aged 67 Helena Montana USPolitical partyDemocraticSpouseJosephine A MartinChildren5ProfessionAttorney Grave at Arlington National Cemetery Contents 1 Biography 2 Career 3 Death 4 References 5 External linksBiography editBonner was born in Butte Montana and graduated from high school in Butte He received both his undergraduate and law degree from Montana State University which is now the University of Montana in Missoula On February 3 1929 he married Josephine Martin and had five children Jo Jackie Billie Pat and Tom with her Career editHe served as counsel for the Montana Highway Commission from 1929 to 1936 1 and as attorney for the Railroad and Public Service Commission from 1936 to 1940 1 He was Attorney General of Montana from 1941 to 1942 He resigned as Attorney General to join the U S Army as a Major during World War II He was promoted to the rank of colonel and received several medals for courageous service After he returned from the War he ran for Governor of Montana in 1948 winning the Democratic primary and advancing to the general election where he defeated incumbent Republican Governor Sam C Ford by a wide margin Bonner ran for re election in 1952 and he was narrowly defeated by State Senator J Hugo Aronson He ran for Governor again in 1956 but lost the Democratic primary to Arnold Olsen who ended up losing to Aronson in the general election In 1960 when United States Senator James E Murray opted not to run for re election Bonner ran to succeed him but in a crowded primary was defeated by Congressman Lee Metcalf who would go on to serve in the United States Senate for three terms From 1968 until his death he served as an associate justice of the Montana Supreme Court Death editBonner died on March 28 1970 and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia 2 References edit a b John W Bonner National Governors Association Retrieved August 26 2012 Arlington National CemeteryExternal links editState of Montana profile National Governors Association biography The Political Graveyard Party political offices Preceded byLeif Erickson Democratic nominee for Governor of Montana1948 1952 Succeeded byArnold Olsen Legal offices Preceded byHarrison K Freebourn Attorney General of Montana1941 1942 Succeeded byHoward M Gullickson Political offices Preceded bySam C Ford Governor of Montana1949 1953 Succeeded byJ Hugo Aronson Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John W Bonner amp oldid 1182508768, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
