William L. Guy Collection

Collection

Identifier: SC 1136

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence concerning Guy's father, William Lewis Guy, campaign brochures, and clippings relating to his political career.

Dates

1943-1974.

Creator

Guy, William L. (William Lewis), 1919- (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives

Biography

William Lewis Guy was born September 30, 1919 in Devil's Lake, North Dakota. He would receive his bachelor of science degree from North Dakota Agricultural College (NDAC, now known as North Dakota State University) and while there he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon as well as in Blue Key National Honor Society. He would serve in the Navy during World War two as a gunnery officer. He reached the rank of Lieutenant.

He received his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and would come to Cass county, North Dakota to be an assistant county agent. William married Jean Mason on January 30, 1943 and the couple would eventually begin farming in Amenia, North Dakota while during winter breaks would teach agricultural economics at NDAC.

William first got into politics by serving in the North Dakota house of representatives from 1959 to 1961 where he was the assistant minority leader. Following that, he ran for governor on the Democratic-Nonpartisan League ticket and won, becoming the 26th governor of North Dakota on January 4, 1961. He worked to modernizing the state government budget and he helped establish the eight regional mental health districts. He also helped bring several large federal projects to the state such as the Garrison Dam project and the Old West Trail loop. Guy was also instrumental in bringing in three sugar beet refineries to the state. He also established the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, which is North Dakota’s highest recognition award. Guy was governor until January 2, 1973. Guy did try to run for United States Senate in 1974 but he was unsuccessful.

William Guy died April 26, 2013 in West Fargo, North Dakota.

Extent

62 Items (62 items.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

This collection contains correspondence concerning Guy's father, William Lewis Guy, campaign brochures, and clippings relating to his political career.