H. C. Baldridge, Governor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._C._Baldridge

Henry Clarence Baldridge (November 24, 1868 – June 8, 1947) was an American politician. A Republican, he was the 14th Governor of Idaho, from 1927 until 1931.

Biography

Born in Carlock, Illinois, Baldridge was educated in the public schools. He attended Illinois Wesleyan University and then taught school. He married Cora A. McCreighton on February 1, 1893. They had a son, M. Claire Baldridge, and a daughter, L. Gail Baldridge.

Career

Baldridge relocated from Illinois to southwestern Idaho in 1904 and settled in Parma and worked in the mercantile trade. Later he dealt in implements and hardware and was president of the local bank. Baldridge entered the state legislature in 1911 as a member of the house. In 1913 he moved to the state senate, serving a single term there as well. In 1922 he was elected the 15th lieutenant governor and elected again in 1924 and served in that capacity in the administration of Governor Charles C. Moore. Baldridge was elected governor in 1926 and re-elected in 1928. Although he warned against expansion of public building programs, significant additions were made to the University of Idaho in Moscow. State highway building was financed by a state gasoline tax.

After leaving office on January 5, 1931, Baldridge returned to his various business interests. He ran for Congress in the 1st district in 1942, but was defeated in the general election by five-term incumbent Compton White of Clark Fork. Baldridge was appointed Commissioner of Charitable Returns from 1943 to 1945.

Death

After the death of his wife, Baldridge moved from Parma to Boise in 1942. In apparent good health, he died in his sleep of a cerebral hemmorage at age 78 in Boise on June 8, 1947, and is interred at Parma Cemetery in Parma.