Smith, Nels H., 1884-1976

Nels H. Smith (1884-1976), a Republican politician and rancher, was governor of Wyoming from 1939-1943. A native of South Dakota, he moved to Crook County, Wyoming in 1907. He later moved to Weston County where he was elected to the 1919 session of the Wyoming House of Representatives. Smith served one term as governor and was defeated for re-election in 1942.

Nels H. Smith was born in Gayville, South Dakota, on August 27, 1884. He was the son of Danish immigrants who made their living in agriculture and ranching. After graduating from the University of South Dakota in 1904, Smith became a cattleman in Gettysburg, South Dakota.

In 1907 Smith joined his brother Louis in Crook County, Wyoming, where they were employed in ranching and stock breeding. Smith gradually became involved in local politics and served on the Wyoming Highway Commission. In 1911 he married Marie Christensen. They had two sons, Peter Franklin and Christy Knut.

Smith, a Republican, continued to pursue a career in politics and was elected to the Wyoming House of Representatives in 1918. He defeated Democrat Leslie A. Miller for the governorship in 1938. He served as Wyoming's governor for one term, being defeated in his bid for re-election by Secretary of State Lester C. Hunt, a Democrat.

During his term in office Governor Smith instituted a program leading to the abolition of the state property tax and worked to establish a vocational training program at the State Training School in Worland. He was also a force behind the building of over 300 miles of farm-to-market roads in the state of Wyoming, and was instrumental in reorganizing the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.

After leaving office in 1938, Governor Smith returned to ranching. He died in Spearfish, South Dakota, on July 5, 1976.