Walter Welford

Walter Welford ( born May 21, 1868 in Bellerby, Yorkshire, England; † June 28, 1952 in Altona, Canada ) was an American politician and 1935-1937 the 20th Governor of the State of North Dakota.

Early years and political rise

Walter Welford received his education in the public schools of North Dakota. Between 1900 and 1920 he was employed by the administration in Pembina County. At the same time he was 1907-1911 deputy in the House of Representatives from North Dakota. From 1917 to 1921 he sat in the state Senate. At that time he was close to the progressive Nonpartisan League. In the 1934 elections, he was elected as a candidate of the Republican Party to the Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota.

Governor of North Dakota

After just five weeks as lieutenant governor he had to take over in February 1935, the Office of the Governor, after his predecessor Thomas H. Moodie was deposed by a court because he had not been selected by applicable law. Welford now had to end his term has just begun Moodies. During his tenure, the state suffered from the consequences of a major drought. In 1936, the governor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt financial support for affected farmers. In 1936, Welford applied unsuccessfully for re-election. Therefore, he resigned on January 6, 1937 the Office.

After the end of his tenure, Welford withdrew from politics. He devoted himself to his private interests and passed away in June 1952. He was married to Edith Bachmann. The only common child died in childhood.