Fjare, Orvin B. (Orvin Benonie), 1918-

U.S. congressman from Montana from 1955-57.

From the description of Orvin B. Fjare papers, 1955-1957. (Montana State University Bozeman Library). WorldCat record id: 42928981

U.S. congressman from Montana.

From the description of Orvin B. Fjare papers, 1955-1957. (Montana State University Bozeman Library). WorldCat record id: 154692325

Orvin Benorie Fjare was born on a ranch in the Melville area near Big Timber, Sweet Grass County, Montana on April 16, 1918. He attended the local schools and Sweet Grass County High School. He became part owner of the clothing store where he worked before enlisting as a private in the U.S. Army in 1940. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Artillery in 1942, received his air force wings in 1944, and was discharged as a captain in 1946 after service in the South Pacific. Fjare became active in Junior Chamber of Commerce, served on the Board of Trustees of the Big Timber Schools 1951-1954, and was a member of the Montana Public Welfare Commission 1952 - 1954. He was elected as a Republican to the 84th Congress (January 3, 1955 - January 3, 1956 and was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election in 1956. He was a member of the State House of Representatives in 1959 and was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1960. He engaged in the life insurance business and was advertising director of the Montana State Highway Department, 1962-1969. In 1970, he became director of the Montana Federal Housing Administration.

From the guide to the Orvin B. Fjare Papers, 1955-1957, (Montana State University-Bozeman Library, Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections)