Nathan Edward Kendall (March 17, 1868 – November 5, 1936) was an American Republican politician. Kendall was a two-term U.S. Representative from Iowa's 6th congressional district and the 23rd Governor of Iowa.

Nathan Edward Kendall
23rd Governor of Iowa
In office
January 13, 1921 – January 15, 1925
LieutenantJohn Hammill
Preceded byWilliam L. Harding
Succeeded byJohn Hammill
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa's 6th district
In office
March 4, 1909 – March 3, 1913
Preceded byDaniel W. Hamilton
Succeeded bySanford Kirkpatrick
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives
In office
1899–1909
Personal details
Born(1868-03-17)March 17, 1868
Greenville, Iowa, U.S.
DiedNovember 5, 1936(1936-11-05) (aged 68)
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Political partyRepublican

Background

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Born on a farm near Greenville, Iowa, Kendall attended the rural schools until the eighth grade.[1] After moving to Albia, Iowa, he began reading law at age fifteen, and was admitted to the bar in 1889.[1] He commenced practice in Albia in 1889. He was Albia city attorney from 1890 to 1892, then Monroe County Attorney from 1893 to 1897. In 1899, he was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives, where he served for ten years and ultimately became Speaker of the House during his last term.

Congress

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In 1908, Kendall ran as a Republican for the U.S. House seat for Iowa's 6th congressional district, then held by incumbent one-term Democrat Daniel W. Hamilton. Defeating Hamilton in a close race, Kendall served in the Sixty-first Congress, then was re-elected in 1910, serving in the Sixty-second Congress. He won the Republican primary in June 1912 over two challengers,[2] but pulled out of the race in August, citing health concerns.[3] In all, he served in Congress from March 4, 1909 to March 3, 1913. After returning from Washington, he resumed the practice of law in Albia.

Governorship

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In 1920, Kendall was elected Governor of Iowa, defeating Democrat and future Governor Clyde L. Herring. He served two terms, from 1921 to 1925. He resided in Des Moines, Iowa, until his death on November 5, 1936. His remains were cremated and the ashes interred on the lawn of "Kendall Place," his former home in Albia.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Michael Kramme, "Governors of Iowa," 63-64 (The Iowan Books: 2006)
  2. ^ Congressmen All Are Re-nominated," Cedar Rapids Republican, June 5, 1912 at p. 3.
  3. ^ "Kendall Decides to Quit Congress," Oelwein Daily Register, August 7, 1912 at p. 4.
  4. ^ James E. Jacobsen. "Noble-Kendall House" (PDF). National Park Service. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee Governor of Iowa
1920, 1922
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Iowa's 6th congressional district

1909–1913
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Iowa
1921–1925
Succeeded by

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress