Arnold Williams | |
|---|---|
From 1946'sGem of the Mountains, the yearbook of theUniversity of Idaho | |
| Secretary of State of Idaho | |
| In office January 5, 1959 – March 29, 1966 | |
| Governor | Robert E. Smylie |
| Preceded by | James H. Young |
| Succeeded by | Louis E. Clapp |
| 21st Governor of Idaho | |
| In office November 17, 1945 – January 6, 1947 | |
| Lieutenant | A. R. McCabe |
| Preceded by | Charles Gossett |
| Succeeded by | C. A. Robins |
| 26th Lieutenant Governor of Idaho | |
| In office January 1, 1945 – November 17, 1945 | |
| Governor | Charles Gossett |
| Preceded by | Edwin Nelson |
| Succeeded by | A. R. McCabe (1946) |
| Member of the Idaho House of Representatives | |
| In office 1936 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1898-05-21)May 21, 1898 Fillmore, Utah, U.S. |
| Died | May 25, 1970(1970-05-25) (aged 72) Idaho Falls, Idaho, U.S.[1] |
| Resting place | Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery, Idaho Falls |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Luella Huskinson (1900–1993) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Henagers Business College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | Infantry |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Arnold Williams (May 21, 1898 – May 25, 1970) was an American politician and businessman who served as the 21stgovernor ofIdaho from 1945 to 1947.[1] A member of theDemocratic Party, he later served as Idaho'ssecretary of state from 1959 to 1966.
Williams was the last Governor of Idaho from the Democratic Party untilCecil Andrus in 1971.
Born inFillmore, Utah, Williams attended its public school andHenagers Business College inSalt Lake City.[2][3]
Williams served in theU.S. Army duringWorld War I. Following his discharge, he established a successfuldry cleaning business inRexburg, Idaho. After serving in government at the local and county level, he was elected to the IdahoHouse in 1936 and served several terms.
Williams was electedlieutenant governor in 1944 and became governor in November 1945. He finished the unexpired term ofCharles Gossett, who resigned after ten months and was immediately appointed by Williams to theU.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of RepublicanJohn Thomas.[4]
Williams became the state's firstMormon governor and was the Democratic nominee for governor in1946,[5][6] but was defeated in the general election byRepublicanC. A. Robins, a physician fromSt. Maries.[7][8][9]The first Mormon to be elected as Idaho's governor was incumbent DemocratJohn Evans in 1978.
Williams was a delegate to theDemocratic National Convention from Idaho in1948,[10] and later was electedsecretary of state of Idaho in 1958, and served until 1966.[10][11]
Williams married Luella Huskinson and they had two children.[3] He died at age 72 inIdaho Falls on May 25, 1970,[1][12] and is interred at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery in Idaho Falls.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Idaho January 1, 1945 – November 17, 1945 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of Idaho November 17, 1945 – January 6, 1947 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Secretary of State of Idaho January 5, 1959 – March 29, 1966 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Democratic Party nominee,Governor of Idaho 1946 (lost) | Succeeded by |