Frank M. Byrne
Encyclopedia
Frank M. Byrne was the eighth Governor
of South Dakota
.
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. In 1879, he drove a team of oxen to Sioux Falls
in what was then Dakota Territory
. Byrne worked for homesteaders near Sioux Falls until filing on his own claim in McCook County
in 1880. In 1883, he sold his claim and moved to Faulk County
to sell insurance. In 1885 and 1886, Byrne spent time in the northern part of Dakota Territory, investing in an insurance company in Fargo
and then represented the firm in Faulk and Potter
Counties in 1888.
Byrne became involved in politics when Forest City refused to surrender the Potter County records to Gettysburg
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 Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota during Robert S. Vessey
's second term as Governor.
In March 1913, Byrne became Governor of South Dakota after a hard-fought campaign. In 1914, Byrne won re-election with Peter Norbeck
as Lieutenant Governor. Byrne completed his second term as Governor and returned to Faulkton
.
In 1918, Byrne ran in the Republican primary for the United States Senate. He lost when Coe Crawford and Peter Norbeck both supported the incumbent, Thomas Sterling
. Byrne left politics until 1922, when Governor William 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 of Oregon
and then California
. Frank M. Byrne died in San Francisco, California
and was buried in Halcyon, California
.
Governor of South Dakota
The Governor of South Dakota is the head of the executive branch of the government of South Dakota. They are elected to a four year term on even years when there is no Presidential election. The current governor is Dennis Daugaard, a Republican elected in 2010....
of South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
.
Biography
Byrne was born near Volney, Allamakee County, IowaAllamakee County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,330 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,617 housing units, of which 5,845 were occupied.-2000 census:...
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. In 1879, he drove a team of oxen to Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...
in what was then Dakota Territory
Dakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
. Byrne worked for homesteaders near Sioux Falls until filing on his own claim in McCook County
McCook County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,832 people, 2,204 households, and 1,558 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 2,383 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile...
in 1880. In 1883, he sold his claim and moved to Faulk County
Faulk County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,640 people, 1,014 households, and 708 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile . There were 1,235 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile...
to sell insurance. In 1885 and 1886, Byrne spent time in the northern part of Dakota Territory, investing in an insurance company in Fargo
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
and then represented the firm in Faulk and Potter
Potter County, South Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,693 people, 1,145 households, and 767 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile . There were 1,760 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
Counties in 1888.
Byrne became involved in politics when Forest City refused to surrender the Potter County records to Gettysburg
Gettysburg, South Dakota
Gettysburg is a city in Potter County, South Dakota, United States, along the 45th parallel. The population was 1,162 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Potter County. Gettysburg area historical tornado activity is 42 percent less than the overall U.S...
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
Coe I. Crawford
Coe Isaac Crawford was the sixth Governor of South Dakota in the United States.-Biography:He was born near Volney, in Allamakee County, Iowa. He attended the common schools and received additional instruction from a private tutor. In 1882, he graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in...
, 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 Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota during Robert S. Vessey
Robert S. Vessey
Robert Scadden Vessey was the seventh Governor of South Dakota. Vessey, a Republican from Wessington Springs, served from 1909 to 1913.-Biography:...
's second term as Governor.
In March 1913, Byrne became Governor of South Dakota after a hard-fought campaign. In 1914, Byrne won re-election with Peter Norbeck
Peter Norbeck
Peter Norbeck served as the ninth Governor of South Dakota, and as a United States Senator. Norbeck was the first Governor of South Dakota to have been born within the borders of the state.-Biography:...
as Lieutenant Governor. Byrne completed his second term as Governor and returned to Faulkton
Faulkton, South Dakota
Faulkton is a city in and the county seat of Faulk County, South Dakota, United States. Its nickname is the Carousel City. The population was 736 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Faulkton is located at ....
.
In 1918, Byrne ran in the Republican primary for the United States Senate. He lost when Coe Crawford and Peter Norbeck both supported the incumbent, Thomas Sterling
Thomas Sterling
Thomas Sterling was an American politician. A Republican, he served in the United States Senate from 1913 to 1925.-Early life:Sterling, , was born near Amanda, Ohio...
. Byrne left politics until 1922, when Governor William H. McMaster
William H. McMaster
William Henry McMaster was the tenth Governor of South Dakota, serving from 1921 until 1925, and also a United States Senator from that state. He died at the age of 91 in 1968. He was a member of the Republican Party....
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 of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
and then California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Frank M. Byrne died in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
and was buried in Halcyon, California
Halcyon, California
Halcyon, California is an unincorporated community of approximately 125 acres in San Luis Obispo County, California, located just beyond the southern border of the city of Arroyo Grande...
.