Leslie Jensen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 15thGovernor of South Dakota | |
| In office January 5, 1937 – January 3, 1939 | |
| Lieutenant | Donald McMurchie |
| Preceded by | Tom Berry |
| Succeeded by | Harlan J. Bushfield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1892-09-15)September 15, 1892 |
| Died | December 14, 1964(1964-12-14) (aged 72) Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Ward |
| Alma mater | University of South Dakota |
| Profession |
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Leslie Jensen (September 15, 1892 – December 14, 1964) was an American businessman andpolitician who served as the15th Governor ofSouth Dakota.
Leslie Jensen was born inHot Springs, South Dakota. In 1916 and 1917, he was aSecond Lieutenant in theSouth Dakota National Guard 4th Infantry Regiment during the 1916 Mexican border expedition. From 1917 to 1919 he was a Captain in the 147th Artillery Regiment with theAmerican Expeditionary Forces. He received anLL.B. degree from theUniversity of South Dakota School of Law in 1921. He married Elizabeth Ward and they had three children.[1]
From 1922 until 1934 Jensen was a collector for theInternal Revenue Service. He became president and general manager of the People's Telephone and Telegraph Company.[2]
In 1936, Jensen, aRepublican, defeated incumbent GovernorTom Berry as South Dakota Governor. He served from 1937 until 1939. During Jensen's single term as governor, the legislature created a state department to implement the new federal Social Security Act. In addition, despite the financial demands of the relief effort, the Jensen administration was able to balance South Dakota's general fund and eliminate a twenty-year-old overdraft as well as to reduce the state's bonded indebtedness and provide for refunding of rural credit bonds at lower rates of interest. In 1938, the South Dakota Division of the Motor Patrol was formed under Governor Jensen.Harlan J. Bushfield, former Republican state chairman, succeeded Leslie Jensen as governor.[3]
In1938, Jensen opted to run for a seat in theU.S. Senate, rather than seek reelection to the governorship. However, he was narrowly defeated by businessmanChan Gurney in the Republican primary.
In 1940 Jensen was called to active military duty for World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater as a Colonel commanding the 147th Artillery Regiment, later serving on the staff of theSixth United States Army. He returned to Hot Springs after the war, remaining active until his death.
Jensen died in an automobile accident in Rapid City and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Hot Springs, Fall River County, South Dakota, US.The Leslie Jensen Scenic Highway, part ofUS Route 18, was named in his honor. In 1987, theGovernor Leslie Jensen House, his family residence was registered in theNational Register of Historic Places listings inFall River County, South Dakota.
| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by William C. Allen | Republican nominee forGovernor of South Dakota 1936 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of South Dakota 1937–1939 | Succeeded by |
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| International | |
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| National | |
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