Frank M. Byrne | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 8thGovernor of South Dakota | |
| In office January 7, 1913 – January 2, 1917 | |
| Lieutenant | Howard C. Shober Frank M. Byrne |
| Preceded by | Robert S. Vessey |
| Succeeded by | Peter Norbeck |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Frank Michael Byrne (1858-10-23)October 23, 1858 nearVolney, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | December 24, 1927(1927-12-24) (aged 69) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Emilie Beaver |
| Profession | Businessman |
Frank Michael Byrne (October 23, 1858 – December 24, 1927) was an American businessman and politician who served as theeighth Governor of South Dakota.[1]
Byrne was born nearVolney, Iowa to Irish immigrants, Michael and Delia (Hart) Byrne. Byrne's formal education was limited to rural school; but, he frequently read books from his own large library. He was married to Emilie (Emma) Beaver and they had five children.[2]
In 1879, he drove a team ofoxen toSioux Falls in what was thenDakota Territory. Byrne worked for homesteaders near Sioux Falls until filing on his own claim inMcCook County in 1880. In 1883, he sold his claim and moved toFaulk County to sell insurance. In 1885 and 1886, Byrne spent time in the northern part of Dakota Territory, investing in an insurance company inFargo and then represented the firm in Faulk andPotter Counties in 1888.
Byrne became involved in politics when officials atForest City, South Dakota refused to surrender the Potter County records toGettysburg during a dispute over the site of the county seat. Byrne was one of several men who organized the raiding party, which successfully brought the records to Gettysburg.
In 1889, Byrne held his first political office as state senator from Faulk and Potter Counties but lost the election in 1890. He served as treasurer of Faulk County for four years. Byrne and his former tutor,Coe I. Crawford, became involved with South Dakota's Progressives; and, Byrne represented his district as state senator in 1907 and 1909. From 1911 to 1913, Byrne served as the ninthLieutenant Governor of South Dakota duringRobert S. Vessey's second term as governor.
In March 1913, Byrne becameGovernor of South Dakota after a hard-fought campaign against Judge James W. McCarter,[3] and went on to serve two terms from 1913 to 1917. In 1914, Byrne won re-election withPeter Norbeck as lieutenant governor. During his tenure, a tax commission was created and a state bank guaranty act was adopted through his persistence.[4]
Byrne completed his second term as governor and returned toFaulkton. In 1918, Byrne ran in theRepublican primary for theUnited States Senate. He lost when Coe Crawford and Peter Norbeck both supported the incumbent,Thomas Sterling. He left politics until 1922, when GovernorWilliam H. McMaster appointed him as Commissioner of Agriculture, a position he held until retiring in 1924.
A rheumatic condition forced Byrne to walk with a cane; and, he moved to the milder climates ofOregon and then California. Frank M. Byrne died in San Francisco, California and is interred at Halcyon Cemetery,Halcyon, California.
| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Republican nominee forGovernor of South Dakota 1912,1914 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Howard C. Shober | Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota 1911–1913 | Succeeded by E. L. Abel |
| Preceded by | Governor of South Dakota 1913–1917 | Succeeded by |
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