Lynn Frazier

Lynn Joseph Frazier (December 21, 1874 – January 11, 1947) was an American educator and politician who served as the 12th governor of North Dakota from 1917 until being recalled in 1921 and later served as a U.S. senator from North Dakota from 1923 to 1941. He was the first American governor ever successfully recalled from office. The only other American governor to ever be recalled is Gray Davis, who was recalled in 2003.

Early life

Frazier was born in Medford, Minnesota. His family moved to North Dakota when he was six years old. He graduated from Grafton High School in 1892, and Mayville Normal School in 1895. He completed his bachelor's degree at the University of North Dakota and graduated with honors. Prior to his career in state and national politics, Frazier was a farmer and school teacher.

Career After winning the Republican primary as the Nonpartisan League candidate, Frazier was elected Governor in 1916 with 79% of the vote.

For a time, Frazier was extremely popular and implemented several reforms, such as establishing the Bank of North Dakota and the North Dakota Mill and Elevator, which stand today as a lasting legacy of the Nonpartisan League.

During the 1919 national coal strike, Governor Frazier took a unique approach to the strike. He declared martial law, took over the mines with United Mine Workers of America contracts and ran them in cooperation with the union.

He was re-elected twice, in 1918 and 1920, but an economic depression hit the agricultural sector during his third term and resulted in a successful private-business-led grassroots movement to press for his recall. In 1921, Frazier was the first governor to be successfully removed from office. Independent Voters Association member Ragnvald Nestos was elected to his place.

Personal life Frazier was twice married, to Lottie J. Stafford, with whom he had five children, from November 26, 1903, until her death on January 14, 1935, and to Catherine Paulson, whom he married in 1937.

Death and legacy Frazier died in Riverdale, Maryland, on January 11, 1947, at the age of 72. He is buried in Hoople Cemetery, Hoople, North Dakota.

Governor Frazier is portrayed in the 1984 Nebraska Public TV documentary Plowing up a Storm.