Background
Meier, Ben was born on August 1, 1918 in Napoleon, North Dakota, United States. Son of Bernhardt and Theresia (Hilzenderger) Meier.
Meier, Ben was born on August 1, 1918 in Napoleon, North Dakota, United States. Son of Bernhardt and Theresia (Hilzenderger) Meier.
He was educated in Logan County rural schools, and he received his high school education by correspondence.
This tenure makes him the second longest serving state level Secretary of State in United States history. Bill Gardner of New Hampshire, who has served for 38 years and is still serving as of 2014, surpassed Meier"s record on December 9, 2010. Ben Meier was born in Napoleon, North Dakota on August 1, 1918.
He attended Dakota Business College, and the School of Banking of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
He worked at banks in Napoleon, Gackle, and Hazelton from 1943 until 1950. While working in Hazelton, he was the owner of the bank.
He moved to Bismarck in the early 1950s and worked with insurance, banking, and real estate. He also became involved in state politics when he was first elected as the North Dakota Secretary of State in 1954.
Until his departure from office on December 31, 1988, he served a total of 34 years in the position which made him the longest serving state official in North Dakota"s history.
This record was later broken by Bruce Hagen, who served 39 years as a North Dakota Public Service Commissioner. His tenure made him the longest serving state level Secretary of State in United States history. They had two sons; Lynn, who died while a medical student at the University of North Dakota in 1974, and Bernie.
North Dakota Republican Party, Republican Party.
Crusade chairman North Dakota Heart Association, 1969, North Dakota Cnacer Society, 1970. Member North Dakota Bankers Association, National Association Secretaries State (president 1967), National Association State Contractors Licensing Agencies (vice president 1969-1970), Sons of Norway.
Married Clara Kaczynski, December 30, 1944. Children: Lynn, Bernie.