governor lawyer officer politician
Knowles was born in River Falls, Wisconsin, graduated first from River Falls High School in 1926 and then Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1930 and received a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School three years later.
University of Wisconsin–Madison. University of Wisconsin Law School.
He was also 37th Governor of the state of Wisconsin from January 4, 1965 - January 4, 1971. In 1933, Knowles joined the law firm now known as Doar, Drill & Skow South Carolina (U.S.) in New Richmond, Wisconsin. From 1935 to 1964 the firm was known as Doar & Knowles.
From 1935 to 1940, he served on the Saint Croix County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors.
Knowles was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1941, becoming Majority Leader after only two years in office in 1943, but during World World War II he took a break to serve as a lieutenant in the United States. Navy aboard the United States Ship Nevada. Following his military service, Knowles resumed serving in the Wisconsin State Senate and returned to the leadership position for 5 additional terms until retiring in 1955.
Knowles was also a delegate to the Republican National Convention several times. He was elected the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin in 1954, and reelected in 1956.
He was again elected the Lieutenant Governor in 1960.
During his second term, he entered the crowded field for the special election for the remainder of Senator. Joseph McCarthy"s term upon his death in 1957. He placed fourth behind ex-Government.
Walter J. Kohler, Junior. and Congressmen Glenn R. Davis and Alvin O"Konski, receiving 8% of the vote.
Elected governor narrowly over the Democratic incumbent John West. Reynolds in 1964 against the national Lyndon B. Johnson tidal wave, he served three two-year terms from 1965 to 1971. During these years, he called out the National Guard periodically to maintain civil order during the University of Wisconsin’s anti-war and civil rights demonstrations.
Knowles"s brother, Robert P. Knowles, served as President Pro Tempore of the Wisconsin State Senate during his last two terms as Governor and during the first four years of Governor Patrick Lucey"s administration from 1967 to 1975. After leaving the governor"s chair, Knowles became chairman of Heritage Wisconsin Corporation, a Milwaukee bank holding company.
Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame.
