Thomas Matthew Berry (April 23, 1879 – October 30, 1951)[1] was the 14thGovernor of South Dakota. Berry, a Democrat from Belvidere, South Dakota, served from 1933 to 1937. He is noted for defeating two incumbent Democratic United States senators in the state Democratic primary and then losing the seat to the Republicans in the general election.
Berry moved to South Dakota in 1897. He homesteaded in Gregory County, moved to Todd County, and finally settled in Mellette County south of Belvidere. He built up a 30,000 acre (120 km2) ranch raising Hereford cattle and saddle horses. Berry served in the House of Representatives of the South Dakota Legislature from 1925 to 1931, and was a member of the Custer State Park Board.
Elected governor twice, in 1932 and 1934,[3] Berry assisted in South Dakota's recovery from the Great Depression. As Governor, he acted as Federal Relief Administrator and helped secure federal aid. He called the legislature into special session to legalize 3.2 percent beer and again to enact unemployment insurance. During his tenure, state property tax was abolished, replaced by gross income tax which was replaced by a state sales tax.[4]
Berry ran for a third term in 1936 but was defeated by Leslie Jensen.[5] In 1938, he defeated interim United States Senator Herbert Hitchcock in the Democratic primary,[6] but lost the general election to Chan Gurney.[7] In 1942, Berry defeated incumbent United States Senator William J. Bulow in the Democratic primary[8] but lost the general election to Harlan J. Bushfield.[9] That defeat ended his political career.
berry, south, dakota, politician, thomas, matthew, berry, april, 1879, october, 1951, 14th, governor, south, dakota, berry, democrat, from, belvidere, south, dakota, served, from, 1933, 1937, noted, defeating, incumbent, democratic, united, states, senators, s. Thomas Matthew Berry April 23 1879 October 30 1951 1 was the 14th Governor of South Dakota Berry a Democrat from Belvidere South Dakota served from 1933 to 1937 He is noted for defeating two incumbent Democratic United States senators in the state Democratic primary and then losing the seat to the Republicans in the general election Tom Berry14th Governor of South DakotaIn office January 3 1933 January 5 1937LieutenantHans UstrudRobert PetersonPreceded byWarren GreenSucceeded byLeslie JensenPersonal detailsBorn 1879 04 23 April 23 1879Paddock Holt County Nebraska U S DiedOctober 30 1951 1951 10 30 aged 72 Rapid City South Dakota U S Political partyDemocraticSpouseLorena McLainChildren4ProfessionRancher Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Death 4 References 5 External linksEarly life editBerry was born in Paddock Holt County Nebraska and attended public school in O Neill Nebraska He was married to Lorena McLain and they had four children 2 Career edit nbsp Berry in 1933 Berry moved to South Dakota in 1897 He homesteaded in Gregory County moved to Todd County and finally settled in Mellette County south of Belvidere He built up a 30 000 acre 120 km2 ranch raising Hereford cattle and saddle horses Berry served in the House of Representatives of the South Dakota Legislature from 1925 to 1931 and was a member of the Custer State Park Board Elected governor twice in 1932 and 1934 3 Berry assisted in South Dakota s recovery from the Great Depression As Governor he acted as Federal Relief Administrator and helped secure federal aid He called the legislature into special session to legalize 3 2 percent beer and again to enact unemployment insurance During his tenure state property tax was abolished replaced by gross income tax which was replaced by a state sales tax 4 Berry ran for a third term in 1936 but was defeated by Leslie Jensen 5 In 1938 he defeated interim United States Senator Herbert Hitchcock in the Democratic primary 6 but lost the general election to Chan Gurney 7 In 1942 Berry defeated incumbent United States Senator William J Bulow in the Democratic primary 8 but lost the general election to Harlan J Bushfield 9 That defeat ended his political career From 1942 to 1947 he served as director of the Farm Credit Administration 10 in Omaha Nebraska In 1962 he was inducted into Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy amp Western Heritage Museum 11 Death editHe retired to Rapid City South Dakota where he lived until his death 12 References edit Tom Berry The Political Graveyard Retrieved 2 September 2012 Tom Berry National Governors Association Retrieved 2 September 2012 Biographical Directory of the South Dakota Legislature 1889 1989 1989 p 91 Tom Berry National Governors Association Retrieved 18 October 2012 South Dakota Manual 1937 p 389 South Dakota Manual 1939 p 406 South Dakota Manual 1939 p 413 South Dakota Manual 1943 p 293 South Dakota Manual 1943 p 296 Tom Berry National Governors Association Retrieved 2 September 2012 Hall of Great Westerners National Cowboy amp Western Heritage Museum Retrieved November 21 2019 Biographical Directory of the South Dakota Legislature 1889 1989 1989 p 91 External links editNational Governors Association Party political offices Preceded byD A McCullough Democratic nominee for Governor of South Dakota1932 1934 1936 Succeeded byOscar Fosheim Preceded byC J Gunderson Democratic nominee for U S Senator from South Dakota Class 3 1938 Succeeded byGeorge M Bradshaw Preceded byWilliam J Bulow Democratic nominee for U S Senator from South Dakota Class 2 1942 Succeeded byJohn A Engel Political offices Preceded byWarren Green Governor of South Dakota1933 1937 Succeeded byLeslie Jensen Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tom Berry South Dakota politician amp oldid 1216081518, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
