Clarence Norman Brunsdale
Encyclopedia
Clarence Norman Brunsdale (July 9, 1891 January 27, 1978) was the 24th Governor of North Dakota and United States Senator of the state of North Dakota
.
. He was educated in public schools and the Bruflat Academy at Portland, North Dakota
. In 1913, he graduated from Luther College
in Decorah, Iowa
. He returned to Portland, teaching at Bruflat Academy and worked the family farm operations in Traill
and Steele
counties.
Brunsdale served in the North Dakota State Senate, as Governor of North Dakota
from 1951 to 1957 and as U.S. Senator from November 19, 1959 to August 7, 1960. As governor, Brunsdale was an avid supporter of water development projects. During his administration Garrison Dam
was completed and the Legislature established the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District. The early 1950s also saw the establishment of the Highway Department and the passage of major highway legislation. Education, agriculture, and mental health issues were also important to Governor Brunsdale.
In 1959, Brunsdale was appointed to the United States Senate
upon the death of Senator William Langer
. Quentin N. Burdick
was narrowly elected to the seat in a 1960 special election
.
Brunsdale died at Mayville, North Dakota
in 1978. He was buried in Mayville Cemetery, Mayville
, Traill County, North Dakota
.
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
.
Biography
Clarence Norman Brunsdale was born in Sherbrooke, Steele County, North DakotaSteele County, North Dakota
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,258 people, 923 households, and 635 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile . There were 1,231 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
. He was educated in public schools and the Bruflat Academy at Portland, North Dakota
Portland, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 604 people, 269 households, and 161 families residing in the city. The population density was 702.0 people per square mile . There were 286 housing units at an average density of 332.4 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 99.50% White, 0.17%...
. In 1913, he graduated from Luther College
Luther College (Iowa)
Luther College is a four-year, residential liberal arts institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Decorah, Iowa, USA...
in Decorah, Iowa
Decorah, Iowa
Decorah is a city in and the county seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,172 at the 2000 census. Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highway 9 and U.S...
. He returned to Portland, teaching at Bruflat Academy and worked the family farm operations in Traill
Traill County, North Dakota
Traill County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Dakota. The 2010 census listed the population at 8,121. Its county seat is Hillsboro, and its largest city is Mayville.-History:...
and Steele
Steele County, North Dakota
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,258 people, 923 households, and 635 families residing in the county. The population density was 3 people per square mile . There were 1,231 housing units at an average density of 2 per square mile...
counties.
Brunsdale served in the North Dakota State Senate, as Governor of North Dakota
Governor of North Dakota
The Governor of North Dakota is the chief executive of North Dakota. The current Governor is Jack Dalrymple. The Governor has the right to sign and laws, and to call the Legislative Assembly, into emergency session. The Governor is also chairman of the North Dakota Industrial Commission. The...
from 1951 to 1957 and as U.S. Senator from November 19, 1959 to August 7, 1960. As governor, Brunsdale was an avid supporter of water development projects. During his administration Garrison Dam
Garrison Dam
Garrison Dam is an earth-fill embankment dam on the Missouri River in central North Dakota. At over two miles in length, it is the fifth-largest earthen dam in the world, constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1947-53...
was completed and the Legislature established the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District. The early 1950s also saw the establishment of the Highway Department and the passage of major highway legislation. Education, agriculture, and mental health issues were also important to Governor Brunsdale.
In 1959, Brunsdale was appointed to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
upon the death of Senator William Langer
William Langer
William "Wild Bill" Langer was a prominent US politician from North Dakota. Langer is one of the most colorful characters in North Dakota history, most famously bouncing back from a scandal that forced him out of the governor's office and into prison. He served as the 17th and 21st Governor of...
. Quentin N. Burdick
Quentin N. Burdick
Quentin Northrup Burdick was a United States Senator from North Dakota from August 8, 1960 until his death in 1992. Prior to that he had served in the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1959 to August 8, 1960. He was the son of NPL North Dakota Congressman Usher L...
was narrowly elected to the seat in a 1960 special election
United States Senate special election in North Dakota, 1960
The 1960 Special U.S. Senate election for the state of North Dakota was held June 28, 1960 to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by the late William Langer. Langer died in office on November 8, 1959, and Clarence Norman Brunsdale, a former Governor of North Dakota, was temporarily appointed...
.
Brunsdale died at Mayville, North Dakota
Mayville, North Dakota
Mayville is a city in Traill County, North Dakota in the United States. The population was 1,858 at the 2010 census, which makes Mayville the largest community in Traill County. Mayville was founded in 1881....
in 1978. He was buried in Mayville Cemetery, Mayville
Mayville, North Dakota
Mayville is a city in Traill County, North Dakota in the United States. The population was 1,858 at the 2010 census, which makes Mayville the largest community in Traill County. Mayville was founded in 1881....
, Traill County, North Dakota
Traill County, North Dakota
Traill County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Dakota. The 2010 census listed the population at 8,121. Its county seat is Hillsboro, and its largest city is Mayville.-History:...
.