Kansas Governors

The governor of the State of Kansas heads the executive branch which includes the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. Territorial governors were appointed by the U. S. President. After statehood, for more than 100 years, the electorate filled these offices every two years. Beginning with the 1974 election, the term of office became four years.

The Kansas State Archives houses the records of all Kansas governors, with the exception of George Docking, Robert Docking and Robert Bennett. George Docking destroyed his records after leaving office; Robert Docking and Bennett deposited theirs at the Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas. Much of the information for this page was taken from Kansas Governors by Homer E. Socolofsky. You can read an essay on Kansas Governors on the KSHS site, and read the governors' messages and see their portraits on the Kansas State Library site.

A New Digital Portal

Chronological Guide to Kansas Governors and Their Records

Name Term of Office Biographical Notes Link to Description of Records Number

Territorial Period, 1854-1861

Reeder, Andrew H.

Commissioned June 29, 1854, took the oath of office 7 July, arrived in Kansas Territory on October 7, served to April 17, 1855.

B: July 12, 1807.
D: July 5, 1864.
Democrat.

 

1. (KT)

Woodson, Daniel

April 17 - June 23, 1855 (Acting)

B: May 24, 1824, Albemarle County, Virginia
D: October 5, 1894, Claremore, Indian Territory (though resident of Coffeyville, Kansas).
Democrat from Virginia.

 

2. (KT)

Reeder, Andrew H.

June 23 - August 16, 1855

 

 

1. (KT)

Woodson, Daniel

August 16 - September 7, 1855

 

 

2. (KT)

Shannon, Wilson

Commissioned August 10, 1855, sworn in September 7; served until June 24, 1856

B: February 24, 1802.
D: August 30, 1877.
Democrat.

 

3. (KT)

Woodson, Daniel

June 24 - July 7, 1856 (Acting)

 

 

2. (KT)

Shannon, Wilson

July 7 - August 18, 1856; sworn in the 2nd time June 13, 1856

 

 

3. (KT)

Woodson, Daniel

August 18 - September 9, 1856 (Acting)

 

 

2. (KT)

Geary, John White

September 9, 1856 - March 12, 1857; resigned March 4 to take effect March 20.

B: December 30, 1819, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania
D: February 8, 1873, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Democrat from Pennsylvania.

 

4. (KT)

Woodson, Daniel

March 12 - April 16, 1857 (Acting)

 

 

2. (KT)

Stanton, Frederick P.

April 16 - May 27, 1857 (Acting)

B: December 22, 1841, Alexandria, Virginia.
D: June 4, 1984
Democrat from Tennessee.

 

5. (KT)

Walker, Robert

Sworn in May 9, 1857; served May 27 - November 16, 1857

B: July 23, 1801, Northumberland, Pennsylvania.
D: November 11, 1869 in Washington, D. C.
Democrat from Washington, D. C.

 

6. (KT)

Stanton, Frederick P.

November 16 - December 21, 1857 (Acting)

 

 

5. (KT)

Denver, James W.

December 21, 1857 - May 12, 1858 (acting); appointed and served May 12 - July 3, 1858

B: October 23, 1817.
D: August 9, 1892.
Democrat.

 

7. (KT)

Walsh, Hugh Sleight

July 3 - July 30, 1858 (Acting)

B: November 10, 1810 Newburgh, New York.
D: April 23, 1877, Grantville, Kansas.
Democrat from Kansas Territory.

 

8. (KT)

Denver, James W.

July 30 - October 10, 1858

 

 

7. (KT)

Walsh, Hugh Sleight

October 10 - December 18, 1858 (Acting)

 

 

8. (KT)

Medary, Samuel

Took the oath December 1, 1858; commission dated December 22; served December 18, 1858 - August 1, 1859

B: February 25, 1801.
D: November 7, 1864.
Democrat from Ohio.

 

9. (KT)

Walsh, Hugh Sleight

August 1 - September 15, 1859 (Acting)

 

 

8. (KT)

Medary, Samuel

September 15, 1859 - April 15, 1860

 

 

9. (KT)

Walsh, Hugh Sleight

April 15 - June 16, 1860 (Acting)

 

 

8. (KT)

Medary, Samuel

June 16 - September 11, 1860

 

 

9. (KT)

Beebe, George M.

September 11 - November 26, 1860 (Acting)

B: October 28, 1836.
D: March 4, 1927.
Democrat.

 

10. (KT)

Medary, Samuel

November 26 - December 17, 1860

 

 

9. (KT)

Beebe, George M.

December 17, 1860 - February 9, 1861

 

 

10. (KT)

After Statehood, 1861-

Robinson, Charles

February9, 1861 - January 12, 1863

B: July 21, 1818, Hardwick, Massachusetts.
D: August 17, 1894, Lawrence, Kansas.
Republican physician from Lawrence.

finding aid

1.

Carney, Thomas

January 12, 1863 - January 9, 1865

B: August 20, 1824, Delaware County, Ohio.
D: July 28, 1888, Leavenworth, Kansas.
Republican grocer from Leavenworth.

finding aid

2.

Crawford, Samuel Johnson

January 9, 1865 - November 4, 1868; resigned to take command of the 19th Kansas Regiment.

B: April 10, 1835, Lawrence County, Indiana.
D: October 21, 1913, Topeka, Kansas.
Republican lawyer from Garnett. The youngest man to serve as Kansas governor; aged 29 years when he took office.

finding aid

3.

Green, Nehemiah

November 4, 1868 - January 11, 1869

B: March 8, 1837, Hardin County, Ohio.
D: January 12, 1890, Manhattan, Kansas.
Republican minister from Manhattan.

finding aid

4.

Harvey, James Madison

January 11, 1869 - January 13, 1873

B: September 21, 1833, Monroe County, Virginia.
D: April 15, 1894 near Junction City, Kansas.
Republican soldier from Fort Riley.

finding aid

5.

Osborn, Thomas Andrew

January 13, 1873 - January 8, 1877

B: October 26, 1836, Meadville, Pennsylvania.
D: February 4, 1898, Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Republican lawyer and printer from Leavenworth.

finding aid

6.

Anthony, George Tobey

January 8, 1877 - January 13, 1879

B: June 9, 1824, Mayfield, New York.
D: August 5, 1896, Topeka, Kansas.
Republican publisher from Leavenworth.

finding aid

7.

St. John, John Pierce

January 13, 1879 - January 8, 1883

B: February 25, 1833, Brookfield, Indiana.
D: August 31, 1916, Olathe, Kansas.
Republican lawyer from Olathe.

finding aid

8.

Glick, George Washington

January 8, 1883 - January 12, 1885

B: July 4, 1827, Greencastle, Ohio.
D: April 13, 1911, Atchison, Kansas.
Democratic lawyer and farmer from Atchison.

finding aid

9.

Martin, John Alexander

January 12, 1885 - January 14, 1889

B: March 10, 1839, Brownsville, Pennsylvania.
D: October 2, 1889, Atchison, Kansas.
Republican editor from Atchison.

finding aid

10.

Humphrey, Lyman Underwood

January 14, 1889 - January 9, 1893

B: July 25, 1844, Stark County, Ohio.
D: September 12, 1915, Independence, Kansas.
Republican publisher from Independence.

 

11.

Lewelling, Lorenzo Dow

January 9, 1893 - January 14, 1895

B: December 1, 1846, Salem, Iowa.
D: September 3, 1900, Arkansas City, Kansas.
Populist businessman from Wichita.

 

12.

Morrill, Edmund Needham

January 14, 1895 - January 11, 1897

B: February 12, 1834, Westbrook, Maine.
D: March 14, 1909, San Antonio, Texas.
Republican banker from Hiawatha.

 

13.

Leedy, John Whitnah

January 11, 1897 - January 9, 1899

B: March 8, 1849, Richland County, Pennsylvania.
D: March 24, 1935, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Populist farmer from Le Roy.

 

14.

Stanley, William Eugene

January 9, 1899 - January 12, 1903

B: December 28, 1844, Danville, Ohio.
D: October 13, 1910, Wichita, Kansas.
Republican lawyer from Wichita.

 

15.

Bailey, Willis Joshua

January 12, 1903 - January 9, 1905

B: October 12, 1854, Carroll County, Illinois.
D: May 19, 1932, Kansas City.
Republican farmer and banker from Baileyville.

 

16.

Hoch, Edward Wallis

January 9, 1905 - January 11, 1909

B: March 17, 1849, Danville, Kentucky.
D: June 1, 1925, Marion, Kansas.
Republican editor from Marion.

 

17.

Stubbs, Walter Roscoe

January 11, 1909 - January 13, 1913

B: November 7, 1858, Richmond, Virginia.
D: March 25, 1929, Topeka, Kansas.
Republican contractor from Lawrence.

 

18.

Hodges, George Hartshorn

January 13, 1913 - January 11, 1915

B: February 6, 1866, Richland County, Wisconsin.
D: October 7, 1947, Kansas City, Missouri.
Democratic lumberman from Olathe.

 

19.

Capper, Arthur

January 11, 1915 - January 13, 1919

B: July 14, 1865, Garnett, Kansas.
D: December 19, 1951, Topeka, Kansas.
Republican publisher from Topeka.

 

20.

Allen, Henry Justin

January 13, 1919 - January 8, 1923

B: September 11, 1868, Cory, Pennsylvania.
D: January 17, 1950, Wichita, Kansas.
Republican publisher from Wichita.

 

21.

Davis, Jonathan McMillen

January 8, 1923 - January 12, 1925

B: April 26, 1871, Bronson, Kansas.
D: June 27, 1943, Fort Scott, Kansas.
Democratic stockman and author from Bronson.

 

22.

Paulen, Ben Sanford

January 12, 1925 - January 14, 1929

B: July 14, 1869, DeWitt County, Illinois.
D: July 11, 1961, Fredonia, Kansas.
Republican banker from Fredonia.

 

23.

Reed, Clyde Martin

January 14, 1929 - January 12, 1931

B: Octobr 19, 1871, Champaign County, Illinois.
D: November 8, 1949, Parsons, Kansas.
Republican publisher from Parsons.

 

24.

Woodring, Harry Hines

January 12, 1931 - January 9, 1933

B: May 31, 1890, Elk City, Kansas.
D: September 9, 1967, Topeka, Kansas.
Democratic banker from Neodesha.

finding aid

25.

Landon, Alfred Mossman

January 9, 1933 - January 11, 1937

B: September 9, 1887, W. Middlesex, Pennsylvania.
D: October 12, 1987, Topeka, Kansas.
Republican oilman from Independence.

 

26.

Huxman, Walter Augustus

January 11, 1937 - January 9, 1939

B: Februbary 16, 1887, Pretty Prairie, Kansas.
D: June 25, 1972, Topeka, Kansas.
Democratic lawyer from Hutchinson.

finding aid

27.

Ratner, Payne

January 9, 1939 - January 11, 1943

B: October 3, 1896, Casey, Illinois.
D: December 27, 1974, Wichita, Kansas.
Republican lawyer from Parsons.

 

28.

Schoeppel, Andrew F.

January 11, 1943 - January 13, 1947

B: November 23, 1894, Claflin, Kansas.
D: January 21, 1962, Bethesda, Maryland.
Republican lawyer from Ness City.

finding aid

29.

Carlson, Frank

January 13, 1947 - November 28, 1950; resigned to become U.S. senator

B: January 23, 1893, Concordia, Kansas.
D: May 30, 1987, Concordia, Kansas.
Republican farmer/stockman from Concordia.

finding aid

30.

Hagaman, Frank L.

November 28, 1950 - January 8, 1951; completed Frank Carlson's term

B: June 1, 1894, Bushnell, Illinois.
D: June 23, 1966, Kansas City. Republican lawyer from Kansas City.

finding aid

31.

Arn, Edward F.

January 8, 1951 - January 10, 1955

B: May 19, 1906, Kansas City, Kansas.
D: January 22, 1998, Wichita, Kansas.
Republican lawyer from Wichita.

 

32.

Hall, Fred

January 10, 1955 - January 3, 1957; resigned to become a justice of the Kansas Supreme Court

B: July 24, 1916, Dodge City, Kansas.
D: March 18, 1970, Shawnee, Kansas.
Republican lawyer from Dodge City

finding aid

33.

McCuish, John

January 3, 1957 - January 14, 1957; completed Fred Hall's term.

B: June 22, 1906, Leadville, Colorado.
D: March 12, 1962, Newton, Kansas.
Republican publisher from Newton.

 

34.

Docking, George

January 14, 1957 - January 9, 1961

B: February 23, 1904, Clay Center, Kansas.
D: January 20, 1964, Kansas City, Kansas.
Democratic banker from Lawrence.

Records destroyed.

35.

Anderson, John, Jr.

9 Jan 1961 - 11 Jan 1965

B: May 8, 1917, Olathe, Kansas.
Republican lawyer from Olathe.

finding aid

36.

Avery, William H.

January 11, 1965 - January 9, 1967

B: August 11, 1911, Wakefield, Kansas.
Republican stockman from Wakefield.

 

37.

Docking, Robert B.

January 9, 1967 - January 13, 1975

B: October 9, 1925, Kansas City, Missouri.
D: October 8, 1983, Arkansas City, Kansas.
Democratic banker from Arkansas City; son of Governor George Docking.

At KU Spencer Research Library

38.

Bennett, Robert F.

January 13, 1975 - January 8, 1979

B: May 23, 1927, Kansas City, Missouri.
Republican lawyer from Overland Park.

At KU Spencer Research Library

39.

Carlin, John William

January 8, 1979 - January 12, 1987

B: August 3, 1940, Salina, Kansas.
Democratic dairy farmer from Smolan.

 

40.

Hayden, John Michael (Mike)

January 12, 1987 - January 14, 1991

B: March 16, 1944, Atwood, Kansas.
Republican insurance agent from Atwood.

 

41.

Finney, Joan

January 14, 1991 - January 9, 1995

B: February 12, 1925, Topeka, Kansas.
D: July 28, 2001, Topeka, Kansas.
Democratic State Treasurer from Topeka; the first woman governor of Kansas and the oldest to date, aged 65 when she took office.

 

42.

Graves, William Preston

January 9, 1995 - January 13, 2003

B: January 9, 1953, Salina, Kansas.
Republican Secretary of State from Salina.

 

43.

Sebelius, Kathleen

January 13, 2003 - April 28, 2009

B: May 15, 1948, Cincinnati, OH.
Democratic Insurance Commissioner from Topeka; daughter of John Gilligan, Governor of Ohio, 1971-1975.

 

44.

Parkinson, Mark

April 28, 2009 -

B: June 24, 1957, Wichita, Kansas. Democratic Lt. Governor

 

45.


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