Background
Archie M. Gubbrud was born in Norway Township in Lincoln County, South Dakota. After the death of his father in 1934, Gubbrud became responsible for the Gubbrud family farm and was quite successful at farming.
governor Agricultural company executive
Archie M. Gubbrud was born in Norway Township in Lincoln County, South Dakota. After the death of his father in 1934, Gubbrud became responsible for the Gubbrud family farm and was quite successful at farming.
In 1929, Gubbrud graduated from Augustana Academy in Canton, South Dakota.
He was one of four children born to Torval Marius and Ella (Rommeriam) Gubbrud. His political career started that same year when he became Norway Township clerk. From 1947 to 1952, Gubbrud served as chairman of Elmwood School.
In 1948, he was the Lincoln County delegate to the South Dakota state Republican convention.
In 1950, Gubbrud was elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives. He became Speaker of the South Dakota House of Representatives 1959-1960, and was also the Chairman of the Legislative Research Council Executive Board at the same time.
In 1960, Gubbrud ran for Governor of South Dakota, beating the incumbent, Ralph Herseth, by only 4,435 votes. In 1962, Gubbrud was elected for a second term when he beat Ralph Herseth by 31,000 votes.
During his tenure he doubled aid to education.
The Custer State Hospital and state budget office were also started with his recommendation. In 1965, Gubbrud left office and returned to the Gubbrud family farm seven and a half miles northeast of Alcester, South Dakota. In 1968, Gubbrud reluctantly ran for the office of United States Senator after being urged to do so by the Republicans but was beat by the incumbent, Senator George McGovern.
In 1969, President Richard Nixon appointed Gubbrud as state director of the Farmers Home Administration, and, Gubbrud held that position until 1977.
Gubbrud returned to the Gubbrud farm and remained there until the time of his death from lung cancer. He died at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, aged 76.
Delaware Republican National Convention, 1964, 68. Board directors South Dakota Farmers Home Administration, 1969-1987, American Beef, 1971-1987. Board regents Augustana Academy.
Member Masons, Shriners.
Married Florence Maxine Dexter, August 15, 1939. Children: John Dexter, Maxine (Mistress Clair Freuik).