Vera Cahalan Bushfield | |
|---|---|
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| United States Senator fromSouth Dakota | |
| In office October 6, 1948 – December 26, 1948 | |
| Appointed by | George Theodore Mickelson |
| Preceded by | Harlan J. Bushfield |
| Succeeded by | Karl Mundt |
| First Lady of South Dakota | |
| In office January 3, 1939 – January 5, 1943 | |
| Governor | Harlan J. Bushfield |
| Preceded by | Elizabeth Ward Jensen |
| Succeeded by | Emily Auld Sharpe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1889-08-09)August 9, 1889 Miller,South Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | April 16, 1976(1976-04-16) (aged 86) Fort Collins,Colorado, U.S. |
| Resting place | Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery, Miller, South Dakota |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Wisconsin, Stout (BA) Dakota Wesleyan University University of Minnesota, Twin Cities |
Vera Sarah Bushfield (néeCahalan; August 9, 1889 – April 16, 1976) was an American politician served as aU.S. senator fromSouth Dakota in 1948, as well as theFirst Lady of South Dakota from 1939 to 1943. Bushfield's appointment also marked the first time one state had been represented by two female senators;Gladys Pyle served for two months in late 1938 and early 1939.
Vera Sarah Cahalan was born inMiller, South Dakota, on August 9, 1889, the daughter of Maurice Francis Cahalan and Mary Ellen (Conners) Cahalan.[1] She attended the public schools of Miller and in 1912 she graduated fromMenomonie, Wisconsin'sStout Institute with a degree in domestic science.[1] In addition, Cahalan attendedDakota Wesleyan University and theUniversity of Minnesota.[1]
On April 15, 1912, Cahalan marriedHarlan J. Bushfield, who was also a resident of Miller, and the Bushfields continued to reside there.[1] The Bushfields were the parents of three children; Mary, John, and Harlan Jr.[1]
Harlan Bushfield was an attorney andRepublican Party official who served asGovernor of South Dakota from 1939 to 1943.[1] During his governorship, Vera Bushfield was the official sponsor ofUSS South Dakota (BB-57), aWorld War II ship launched inCamden, New Jersey on June 7, 1941.[2]
After serving as governor, Harlan Bushfield served as a U.S. Senator beginning in 1943.[1] Because of illness, he was not running for reelection in1948, and he died in September.[1] The contest to succeed him was between RepublicanKarl E. Mundt andDemocrat John A. Engel.[1]
On October 6, 1948, Vera Bushfield was appointed to the Senate to temporarily fill the vacancy caused by her husband's death.[1] GovernorGeorge T. Mickelson appointed her with the understanding that she would resign before the end of the term.[1] During her tenure, the Senate was not in session, so Bushfield chose to remain inPierre with a small staff and attend to constituent services rather than travel toWashington, D.C.[1]
Mundt won the November election, and Bushfield resigned on December 26, 1948.[1] Her resignation enabled Mickelson to appoint Mundt, giving him a few days of seniority over other senators elected in 1948, whose terms began in January 1949.[1]
Bushfield maintained an interest in politics.[3] In 1952, she endorsed SenatorRobert A. Taft for president.[3] Taft lost the Republican nomination toDwight Eisenhower, who went on to win the general election.[4]
In 1961, Bushfield took advantage of thefloor privileges granted to former senators to speak to the U.S. Senate on the 100th anniversary of the creation ofDakota Territory.[5] After a speech byJames Eastland in which he praised the career of Harlan Bushfield, Eastland yielded the floor to SenatorFrancis H. Case, who introduced Vera Bushfield so she could deliver her remarks.[5]
Vera Bushfield died inFort Collins, Colorado, on April 16, 1976.[1] She is buried at theG.A.R. Cemetery in Miller.[6]
| U.S. Senate | ||
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| Preceded by | United States Senator (Class 2) from South Dakota 1948 Served alongside:Chandler Gurney | Succeeded by |
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| Class 3 | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
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