Kim Sigler

Kimber Cornellus Sigler, commonly known as Kim Sigler (May 2, 1894 – November 30, 1953), was an American politician. He served as the 40th Governor of Michigan from 1947 to 1949.

Kim Sigler
Photo used in ads for 1948 reelection campaign, including Detroit Free Press, November 1, 1948.
40th Governor of Michigan
In office
January 1, 1947 – January 1, 1949
LieutenantEugene C. Keyes
Preceded byHarry Kelly
Succeeded byG. Mennen Williams
Personal details
Born
Kimber Cornellus Zeigler

May 2, 1894
Schuyler, Nebraska
DiedNovember 30, 1953 (aged 59)
Augusta, Michigan
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Mae L. Pierson
Alma materUniversity of Michigan

Early life

Sigler was born Kimber Cornellus Zeigler in Schuyler, Nebraska, the son of Bertha and David Zeigler. The family's surname was changed to Sigler during World War I.[1] He was educated at the University of Michigan, and later at the Detroit Law School where, in 1918, he received a law degree. Sigler established a successful legal career in various firms in Detroit, Hastings and Battle Creek, Michigan. He was also the special prosecutor in the grand jury investigation of corruption in the state legislature. He married Mae L. Pierson and they had one child together.

Politics

In 1928, Sigler was the Democratic candidate for Michigan Attorney General, yet was unsuccessful losing to Republican Wilber Marion Brucker, who was elected Governor of Michigan two years later. Sigler would later switch to the Republican Party. In 1942, he was a candidate in the Republican primary from the 8th District for a seat in the state senate. He was also a member of Rotary International.

On November 5, 1946, Sigler, nicknamed Hollywood Kim, was elected Governor of Michigan, defeating former governor Murray Van Wagoner in the general election. During his two years in office, state agencies were reorganized and the department of administration was created. In 1947, he received his Private Pilot License.

In 1948, he served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, which re-nominated Thomas Dewey as their candidate for U.S. President to defeat President Harry S Truman, yet Dewey was again unsuccessful as he was against Franklin Roosevelt four years earlier. Dewey carried Michigan, but Sigler was unsuccessful that year, as he was defeated for re-election for governor by Democrat Soapy Williams. After running unsuccessfully for re-election, Sigler left office on January 1, 1949, and retired from political life.

Retirement and death

Nearly five years after leaving office at the age of fifty-nine, Sigler and three passengers were killed when the plane he was piloting on a foggy night collided with a television broadcast tower (WBCK-TV) near Augusta, Michigan. He was interred at Riverside Cemetery of Hastings, Michigan.

References
  1. Whitney, Gleaves (January 1, 2004). "Messages of the Governors of Michigan: 1941-1948 (Murray D. Van Wagoner, Harry F. Kelly, Kim Sigler)". Michigan State University Press. Retrieved January 11, 2020 – via Google Books.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Harry Kelly		 Republican nominee for Governor of Michigan
1946, 1948		 Succeeded by
Harry Kelly
Political offices
Preceded by
Harry Kelly		 Governor of Michigan
1947 – 1949		 Succeeded by
G. Mennen Williams
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