C. Ben Ross | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 15th Governor of Idaho | |
| In office January 5, 1931 – January 4, 1937 | |
| Lieutenant | G. P. Mix George Hill G. P. Mix |
| Preceded by | H. C. Baldridge |
| Succeeded by | Barzilla Clark |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Benjamin Ross (1876-12-27)December 27, 1876 Parma, Idaho Territory |
| Died | March 31, 1946(1946-03-31) (aged 69) Boise, Idaho, US |
| Resting place | Parma Cemetery Parma, Idaho |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Edna May Reavis |
| Residence(s) | Pocatello, Parma |
| Profession | Rancher |
Charles Benjamin Ross (December 27, 1876 – March 31, 1946) was an American politician who served as the firstIdaho-borngovernor from 1931 to 1937.[1][2]
One of eight children, Ross was born in theIdaho Territory in 1876 nearParma to cattleman John M. Ross and his wife Jeanette. He left school after sixth grade, but at age eighteen, he decided to continue his education and graduated from Portland Commercial College.[3] In 1897, he returned to the family ranch and co-managed it with his brother, W. H. Ross.
Ross began his political career inCanyon County, serving as county commissioner from 1915 to 1921. He moved east toBannock County and served as mayor ofPocatello from 1922 to 1930, and won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in1928. Although Ross nearly tripled the Democratic vote total of his predecessor Asher Wilson, thanks to the recent demise of the IdahoProgressive Party, he was defeated by theRepublican incumbentH. C. Baldridge.
Ross won the nomination again in1930, winning the open seat against Republican John McMurray. His wife, Edna, was a natural politician and a great asset to Ross. She was often referred to as "Governor Edna" while he held that office.[4] He was reelected in1932 and1934, becoming the first in Idaho to win three elections for governor. During his tenure, Ross was viewed as the chief proponent ofFranklin D. Roosevelt'sNew Deal policies in Idaho. Even so, his own beliefs more closely mirrored the agrarianpopulism of earlier Democrats such asWilliam Jennings Bryan.[5]
The firstsales tax in Idaho was enacted in 1935 with Ross' support. A famous line used against Ross by sales tax opponents was "A Penny for Benny." A driver's license law was instituted and legislation was initiated which would make liquor sales regulated through state distributors.[3] Instead of pursuing a fourth term, Ross ran forU.S. Senate in 1936 but was defeated itsdean, RepublicanWilliam Borah. Opponents also used the following poem against him: "Benny got our penny/Benny got our goat/We'll get our Benny/When we go to vote." The sales tax was repealed after a statewidereferendum in 1936, but later returned in 1965.
Ross ran for governor a fifth time in1938, defeating incumbentBarzilla Clark in the primary, but lost to stateRepublican Party chairmanC. A. Bottolfsen in the general election. After the loss, "Cowboy Ben" retired from public life. He is referred to as "Founding Father" of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation and was looked to as a champion of theIdaho Democratic Party.
Ross married Edna Reavis on February 14, 1900, and together they raised four foster children.[6]
In declining health during his last year, Ross died in aBoise hospital in 1946 at age 69,[1] and is interred at Parma Cemetery in Parma.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Asher B. Wilson | Democratic Party nominee,Governor of Idaho 1928,1930,1932,1934 | Succeeded by Barzilla W. Clark |
| Preceded by Joseph M. Tyler | Democratic Party nominee,U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Idaho 1936 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Democratic Party nominee,Governor of Idaho 1938 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Idaho January 5, 1931 – January 4, 1937 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
