Samuel C. Polley

Samuel Cleland Polley (January 13, 1864 – May 7, 1949) was a South Dakota lawyer, politician, and judge who served as Secretary of State of South Dakota and was a justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court. He served as secretary of state from 1908 to 1912. He served on the court from 1913 to 1947.

Early life and education Polley was born in Winnebago Valley in Houston County, Minnesota, to John C. and Amanda A. (Korn) Polley. His father was a farmer who moved to Houston County in 1857, and then to Aitkin County, Minnesota, in 1878, becoming the county's first farmer. Polley attended the State Normal School in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota, where he studied law, graduating with an LL. B. in 1890.

Career He lived in Deadwood, South Dakota, from 1890 and was in private practice. He also had a hand in litigation in the state. He was state attorney for Lawrence County, South Dakota, in 1901 and 1902. In 1908 he was elected Secretary of State of South Dakota, and was reelected to a second term in 1910. In 1908 he was a member of the Capitol Commission, which was responsible for the building of the new capitol at Pierre, the state board of pardons and the state board of assessment and equalization. In 1912 he was elected to the state Supreme Court; in 1930 he was reelected to a fourth six-year term. He was a lifelong Republican.

Personal life On November 15, 1899, Polley married Lenore V. McConnell, daughter of Alexander S. McConnell, at Deadwood. They had a daughter and two sons. He was a member of the Episcopal church.

Polley died in a convalescent home in Rapid City at the age of 85.