Robert S. Vessey

Vessey won the governorship through South Dakota's new primary elections, narrowly both times. In June 1908, in the state's first primary for the office, he beat John L. Browne, a former speaker of the state House, by 32,024 votes to 30,860. Two years later he was renominated with only 38.7 percent against George W. Egan, a colorful Sioux Falls lawyer who had been disbarred, and former governor Samuel H. Elrod, who split the rest almost evenly. That November he beat Chauncey L. Wood, mayor of Rapid City, by 23,761 votes.

What the plaque says

Robert S. Vessey Seventh Governor, South Dakota 1909-1913 Robert S. Vessey was born near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, May 16, 1858. His father was a minister-farmer with a family of 15 children. He attended common school, but dropped out at an early age to work and assist in the support of his father's family. He became a lumber-jack at the age of 16. In 1882, he married Florence Albert. He moved to Jerauld County, South Dakota, in 1883, where he established "squatters rights" on the S.E. Quarter of Section 12-107-66 in Pleasant Township. Here he erected a "claim shanty". He was the father of six children: Florence and Frank (both died in infancy), Harvey, Verna, Bernice and Robert Junior. In 1885, Mr. Vessey, in partnership with a brother, established a mercantile business in Wessington Springs. Later, he sold real estate, was engaged in ab- stracting and banking. He was active in the Methodist Church and community affairs; helped to establish the Wessington Springs Seminary; was President of the Dakota Telephone Company and President of the Wessington Springs State Bank. He was elected to the Senate in 1904, re-elected in 1906 and served as President pro tempore of the Senate in 1907 Session. He was elected Governor in the Fall of 1908, serving two terms 1909-1913. In this office he gave challenging leadership to a growing State. The State House Building was completed during his term of office. His death occurred on October 18, 1929 in Pasadena, California. Erected 1967 by Dunham Historical Society, Wessington Springs Chamber of Commerce and State Highway Commission

Where it stands

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