“Ralph Herseth”

Twenty-first Governor

Ralph Herseth was born on July 2, 1909 on a ranch near Houghton and grew to manhood here, graduating from Columbia High School and attending North Dakota State College. He likes to be regarded as a typical second generation son of the soil and as a farmer and rancher specialized in raising Aberdeen Angus cattle. He operates as well a Farm Implement business in Hecla and director of an Elevator in Houghton. He married Lorna Buntrock in 1937 and has two daughters, Karen H. Wee, Constance Stenseth and one son, Ralph Lars.

A life long member of the Lutheran Church, he served as an officer or director of most of the Civic Betterment organizations of Brown County.

State Senator in 1951 and 1955, his services as such brought him into the political limelight. As Democratic nominee for Governor in 1958, he won by a 7,000 vote margin to become the third Democratic Governor of the State.

He was an able administrator and his regime was marked by an honest and aggressive purpose. His own acts as the Executive were tempered by firmness and compassion.

This little roadside park in his home town is a fitting and pleasant place for this tribute to a distinguished citizen who has received and merited State and National recognition.”

Brown County, SD 10 in Houghton at roadside park (2006)