William H. McMaster

William Henry McMaster (May 10, 1877 – September 14, 1968) was the tenth Governor of South Dakota, serving from 1921 until 1925, and also a United States Senator from that state. He was a member of the Republican Party.

For other people named William McMaster, see William McMaster (disambiguation).

William Henry McMaster
United States senator from South Dakota
In office March 4, 1925 – March 3, 1931
Preceded by	Thomas Sterling
Succeeded by	William J. Bulow
10th Governor of South Dakota
In office January 4, 1921 – January 6, 1925
Lieutenant	Carl Gunderson
Preceded by	Peter Norbeck
Succeeded by	Carl Gunderson
12th Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota
In office January 2, 1917 – January 4, 1921
Governor	Peter Norbeck
Preceded by	Peter Norbeck
Succeeded by	Carl Gunderson
Member of the South Dakota Senate
In office 1913–1916
Member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
In office 1911–1912
Personal details
Born	(1877-05-10)May 10, 1877 Ticonic, Iowa, U.S.
Died	September 14, 1968(1968-09-14) (aged 91) Dixon, Illinois, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Harriet Russell
Alma mater	Beloit College
Profession	Banker

Biography

McMaster was born to Samuel and Sara (Woodsum) McMaster in Ticonic, Iowa, Monona County, Iowa. His family moved to Sioux City, Iowa after the death of his father in 1880; and while growing up, he contributed to the family income by delivering the morning edition of the "Sioux City Journal." McMaster graduated from Sioux City High School and in 1899, he received a B.A. degree from Beloit College in Wisconsin.[1]

McMaster served as the head football coach at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (then known as Oshkosh Normal School) in 1899.[2]

Career

In 1901, he moved to Yankton, South Dakota and worked as a cashier at that Security State Bank in Gayville, eventually becoming president of a banking chain in 1910.[3] He married Harriett Louise Russell and they had two children.[4]

McMaster served in the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1911 and 1912 in the South Dakota Senate from 1913 to 1916. He was Lieutenant Governor from 1917 through 1920.

Winning the nomination and the election McMaster became Governor of South Dakota from 1921 through 1924. As a friend of the farming community, he fought to revise taxes and provide state guaranteed credit as well as waging a successful battle against high gasoline prices.[5]

United States Senator from 1925 through 1931. Defeated in his bid for re-election, he became Vice President, then President and finally Chairman of the Board of Dixon National Bank in Illinois.[6]

Death

Aged 91 years, McMaster died in Yankton and was interred in Oakwood Cemetery, Dixon, Lee County, Illinois US.

Head coaching record

Year	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Bowl/playoffs
Oshkosh State Titans (Independent) (1899)
1899	Oshkosh State	1–6–1
Oshkosh State:		1–6–1
Total:		1–6–1

References

1. "William H. McMaster". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
2. "Short Notes: W. H. McMaster". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. October 4, 1899. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
3. "William H. McMaster". National Governors Association. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
4. "William H. McMaster". National Governors Association. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
5. "William H. McMaster". National Governors Association. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
6. "McMASTER, William Henry - Biographical Information".

External links

• United States Congress. "William H. McMaster (id: M000563)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• National Governors Association
• William H. McMaster at Find a Grave

Party political offices
Preceded by Peter Norbeck	Republican nominee for Governor of South Dakota 1920, 1922	Succeeded by Carl Gunderson
Preceded by Thomas Sterling	Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from South Dakota (Class 2) 1924, 1930	Succeeded by John Chandler Gurney
Political offices
Preceded by Peter Norbeck	Lieutenant Governor of South Dakota 1917–1921	Succeeded by Carl Gunderson
Preceded by Peter Norbeck	Governor of South Dakota 1921–1925	Succeeded by Carl Gunderson
U.S. Senate
Preceded by Thomas Sterling	United States Senator (Class 2) from South Dakota 1925–1931	Succeeded by William J. Bulow