Nels H. Smith was born in Gayville, South Dakota on August 27, 1884. He attended the common schools and the University of South Dakota. He ranched near Gettysburg, South Dakota from 1905 to 1907, when moved to Wyoming. In time, his ranch covered parts of Crook and Weston counties. Politically, Smith, a devout Republican, served as a county commissioner and school board member. On the state level, he was elected state representative in 1919 and governor in 1938. He was defeated for re-election in 1942. He later served on the State Highway Commission and the State Game and Fish Commission. He died on July 5, 1976 in Spearfish, South Dakota and is buried in the Green Mountain Cemetery at Sundance.

Smith married Marie S. Christensen on December 20, 1911. They had two sons (Peter and Christy).

The Nels H. Smith Collection

The records of Governor Smith's term in office include:

• General Records
• Visitor's Register - Golden Gate International Exposition
• Administrative Records
• Executive Orders
• Expense Register
• Proclamations
• Requisitions and Extraditions
• Legislature
• Message to the Legislature, 1941

Additional Resources

• Nels H. Smith Papers, 1926-1943, Collection Number 09880, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
• Ranch A National Historic Site, purchased by Nels Smith in 1942
• "A States' Rights Advocate: Governor Nels H. Smith," Wyoming Postscripts, Aug 27, 2015. (accessed 1/25/2016)