William H. Avery (politician)
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| William H. Avery | |
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37th Governor of Kansas
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| In office January 11, 1965 – January 9, 1967 |
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| Lieutenant | John Crutcher |
| Preceded by | John Anderson, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Robert Docking |
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| Born | August 11, 1911 Clay County, Kansas |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Hazel Bowles |
| Profession | Farmer, Oilman, Banker, Politician |
| Religion | Methodist |
William Henry Avery (born August 11, 1911) was thirty-seventh Governor of Kansas, having served from 1965-1967.
Born in 1911 near Wakefield, Kansas, William H. Avery graduated from the University of Kansas in 1934. While attending the KU he joined Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He was a member of the Wakefield School Board, and served in the Congress for the Republican Party from 1955 to 1965.
Avery is remembered as the governor who sanctioned the executions of Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, the murderers of the Clutter family, made famous by the Truman Capote book In Cold Blood. Capote describes the governor as "a wealthy farmer" conscious of public opinion. Also as governor, he dedicated a memorial in Delphos, Kansas for Abraham Lincoln and Grace Bedell, the eleven year old girl who suggested to presidential candidate Lincoln to grow his infamous beard. [1]
After losing the governorship to Robert Docking in the 1966 election, Avery attempted but failed to win a seat in the Senate, losing in the primary to future U.S. presidential candidate Bob Dole. After retiring from politics he worked for Clinton Oil Company, and became president of Real Petroleum.
He was one of five former governors interviewed for the documentary The Kansas Governor, in which he proudly stated that in his many years of politics he had never played a round of golf. He is the oldest living governor of Kansas, is currently (2007) the second oldest governor of any state behind Albert D. Rosellini of Washington, and additionally is the second oldest living former Congressman, behind Glenn Andrews of Alabama.
[edit] References
- ^ http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton1/Lincoln50.html Abraham Lincoln's Beard: The Idea of an 11 Year Old Girl!
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| Preceded by Howard S. Miller |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas's 1st congressional district January 3, 1955 – January 3, 1963 |
Succeeded by Bob Dole |
| Preceded by Robert Fred Ellsworth |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas's 2nd congressional district 1963 – 1965 |
Succeeded by Chester L. Mize |
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