Page 2 - 2020 TOG Annual Report
P. 2
2020 Trail of Governors Annual Report
Charles H. Sheldon, a Pierpont Republican and
farmer, was the state’s 2nd governor. He served
Straight in the territorial legislative council prior to
being elected governor. Sheldon was a popular
Ahead, 2021 orator, representing the Republican party at
events across South Dakota following his term
as governor. It was in Deadwood where he died
from pneumonia while on such a tour.
Board members remain focused on the unveiling ceremony
scheduled for10 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2021, in the Capitol
Rotunda. Three statues will be unveiled honoring Govs. Coe I. Crawford, a Huron Republican, was the
Charles Sheldon, Coe Crawford and Carl Gunderson. state’s 6th governor. Before serving as governor,
he was a teacher and then railroad attorney after
A 3.5-mile Run With Governors will be held at 8:30 a.m. earning his law degree. He also served in Dako-
on Saturday, June 12, starting near the front steps of the ta Territory’s final legislative council, as a state
legislator, and as attorney general prior to being
Capitol. Runners and walkers will follow the trail route. elected governor. After leaving the governor’s
Information and a registration link are available via office, Crawford was elected to the U.S. Senate.
Facebook. This event continues to grow in popularity
each year, helping to financially support the trail.
Carl Gunderson, a Mitchell Republican, was the
state’s 11th governor. Gunderson was a farmer,
The finances of the foundation are overseen by the South a state senator, and lieutenant governor before
Dakota Community Foundation. All donations are tax being elected governor. Gunderson received an
deductible and listed on the trail’s website. engineering and surveying degree from the Uni-
versity of South Dakota. He homesteaded in Clay
County and also farmed in Aurora County. He is
buried at Bluff View Cemetery in Vermillion, on
land he originally homesteaded.
A vision to create a lasting legacy of South Dakota’s governors.
