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Andersen, Elmer Lee

Sessions Served  red ball graphic  Other Information

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Map of Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Senate 1949-58 (District 42)

Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election

Counties Served:  Ramsey

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 06/17/1909 Date of Death: 11/15/2004
Birth Place: Chicago, Illinois Birth County:  Birth Country: United States
Other Names:
Gender:  Male Religion:  Lutheran
City of Residence (when first elected):  Saint Paul

Occupation (when first elected):  President, H.B. Fuller Company

EDUCATION

Muskegon High School, Michigan; Secondary;
Muskegon Junior College, Michigan; Junior College/Community College; 1928
University of Minnesota, School of Business Administration; B.B.A.; Business, 1931

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Board/Commission/CouncilMinnesota Historical Society (President) ??/??/19?? to ??/??/19??
State Board/Commission/CouncilMinnesota Commission on the Problems of Mentally Retarded, Handicapped and Gifted ChildrenAppointed??/??/19?? to ??/??/196?
State GovernorMinnesotaElected01/02/1961 to 03/20/1963
Board of RegentsUniversity of Minnesota (Chair) ??/??/1967 to ??/??/1975

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Eleanor A. Johnson Andersen (married September 1, 1932)
Children: Three children: Anthony "Tony" L., and Julian L. (sons); Emily E. (daughter)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
Stanley Willard Holmquist, Sr.  - Brother-in-Law

GENERAL NOTES

He was of Norwegian and Swedish ancestry.

He was the Republican endorsed candidate for Minnesota Governor in 1962. He lost his reelection bid by 91 votes. (MHS Governors of Minnesota)

He was a member of the Republican Party.

His body was lain in state at the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda on November 18, 2004. His funeral was held at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Legislative Session: 60th (1957-1958) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/2/1954 Term of Office: 1/4/1955 to 1/5/1959
District: 42 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Businessman
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Committees:
Cities of the First Class
Civil Administration
Committees
Education
Finance
Public Domain
Public Highways
Public Welfare (Chair)
Rules and Legislative Expense
University
Legislative Session: 59th (1955-1956)   Session Details
Body: Senate Elected: 11/2/1954 Term of Office: 1/4/1955 to 1/5/1959
District: 42 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Businessman
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Committees:
Cities of the First Class
Civil Administration
Committees
Education
Finance
Public Domain
Public Highways
Public Welfare (Chair)
Rules and Legislative Expense
University
Legislative Session: 58th (1953-1954) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details
Body: Senate Elected: 11/7/1950 Term of Office: 1/2/1951 to 1/3/1955
District: 42 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Businessman
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Committees:
Cities of the First Class
Education
Elections
Engrossing and Enrolling (Chair)
Finance
Insurance
Public Domain
Public Welfare
University
Legislative Session: 57th (1951-1952)   Session Details
Body: Senate Elected: 11/7/1950 Term of Office: 1/2/1951 to 1/3/1955
District: 42 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: Businessman
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Conservative Caucus
Committees:
Cities of the First Class
Education
Elections
Finance
Insurance
Public Domain
Public Welfare
University
Legislative Session: 56th (1949-1950) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 2/8/1949 Term of Office: 2/10/1949 to 1/1/1951 (Special Election)
District: 42 Residence: Saint Paul
Counties Represented: Ramsey
Occupation: President, H.B. Fuller Company
Party: Nonpartisan Election
Committees:
Cities of the First Class
Elections
Insurance
Military Affairs
Public Welfare
University
Session Notes: He won the special election to replace Charles Noah Orr who died on January 10, 1949.

OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books By
Andersen, Elmer L. I Trust To Be Believed: Speeches And Reflections. Nodin Press, 2004.

Andersen, Elmer L. A Man's Reach. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2000.


Articles & Books About
Ragsdale, Jim and Bill Salisbury. "Fondly Recalled, Andersen Lies in State (Obituary). St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 19, 2004.

Elmer L. (Lee) Andersen. Biographical Information from the Minnesota Historical Society's Governors of Minnesota.


Archive Collections
Elmer L. Andersen Papers, 1948-1987 - Available in the Minnesota Historical Society's Collections


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Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 645 State Office Building, Saint Paul, MN  55155