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 |
Territorial Period, 1854-1861
|
| Reeder, Andrew H. |
Commissioned 29 June 1854, took the oath of office
7 July, arrived in Kansas Territory on 7 Oct, served to 17 Apr 1855. |
B: 12 July 1807.
D: 5 July 1864.
Democrat. |
|
| Woodson, Daniel |
17 Apr - 23 June 1855 (Acting) |
B: 24 May 1824, Albemarle County, VA.
D: 5 Oct. 1894, Claremore, I. T. (though resident of Coffeyville,
KS).
Democrat from Virginia. |
|
| Reeder, Andrew H. |
23 June - 16 Aug 1855 |
|
|
| Woodson, Daniel |
16 Aug - 7 Sept 1855 |
|
|
| Shannon, Wilson |
Commissioned 10 Aug 1855, sworn in 7 Sept; served
until 24 June 1856 |
B: 24 Feb 1802.
D: 30 Aug 1877.
Democrat. |
|
| Woodson, Daniel |
24 June - 7 July 1856 (Acting) |
|
|
| Shannon, Wilson |
7 July - 18 Aug 1856; sworn in the 2nd time 13 June
1856 |
|
|
| Woodson, Daniel |
18 Aug - 9 Sept 1856 (Acting) |
|
|
| Geary, John White |
9 Sept 1856 - 12 Mar 1857; resigned 4 Mar to take
effect 20 Mar. |
B: 30 Dec 1819, Mount Pleasant, PA.
D: 8 Feb 1873, Harrisburg, PA.
Democrat from Pennsylvania.
|
|
| Woodson, Daniel |
12 Mar - 16 Apr 1857 (Acting) |
|
|
| Stanton, Frederick P. |
16 Apr - 27 May 1857 (Acting) |
B: 22 December 1841, Alexandria, VA.
D: 4 June, 1984
Democrat from Tennessee. |
|
| Walker, Robert |
Sworn in 9 May 1857; served 27 May - 16 Nov 1857 |
B: 23 July 1801, Northumberland, PA.
D: 11 Nov 1869 in Washington D. C.
Democrat from Washington D. C. |
|
| Stanton, Frederick P. |
16 Nov - 21 Dec 1857 (Acting) |
|
|
| Denver, James W. |
21 Dec 1857 - 12 May 1858 (acting); appointed and
served 12 May to 3 July 1858 |
B: 23 Oct 1817.
D: 9 Aug 1892.
Democrat. |
|
| Walsh, Hugh Sleight |
3 July - 30 July 1858 (Acting) |
B: 10 November 1810 Newburgh, NY.
D: 23 April 1877, Grantville, KS.
Democrat from Kansas Territory. |
|
| Denver, James W. |
30 July - 10 Oct 1858 |
|
|
| Walsh, Hugh Sleight |
10 Oct - 18 Dec 1858 (Acting) |
|
|
| Medary, Samuel |
Took the oath 1 Dec 1858; commission dated 22 Dec;
served 18 Dec 1858 to 1 Aug 1859 |
B: 25 Feb 1801.
D: 7 Nov 1864.
Democrat from Ohio. |
|
| Walsh, Hugh Sleight |
1 Aug - 15 Sept 1859 (Acting) |
|
|
| Medary, Samuel |
15 Sept 1859 - 15 Apr 1860 |
|
|
| Walsh, Hugh Sleight |
15 Apr - 16 June 1860 (Acting) |
|
|
| Medary, Samuel |
16 June - 11 Sept 1860 |
|
|
| Beebe, George M. |
11 Sept - 26 Nov 1860 (Acting) |
B: 28 Oct 1836.
D: 4 Mar 1927.
Democrat. |
|
| Medary, Samuel |
26 Nov to 17 Dec 1860 |
|
|
| Beebe, George M. |
17 Dec 1860 - 9 Feb 1861 |
|
|
After Statehood, 1861-
|
| Robinson, Charles |
9 Feb 1861 - 12 Jan 1863 |
B: 21 July 1818, Hardwick, MA.
D: 17 Aug 1894, Lawrence, KS.
Republican physician from Lawrence. |
finding
aid |
| Carney, Thomas |
12 Jan 1863 - 9 Jan 1865 |
B: 20 Aug 1824, Delaware County, OH.
D: 28 July 1888, Leavenworth, KS.
Republican grocer from Leavenworth. |
finding
aid |
| Crawford, Samuel Johnson |
9 Jan. 1865 - 4 Nov. 1868; resigned to take command
of the 19th Kansas Regiment. |
B: 10 Apr 1835, Lawrence County, IN.
D: 21 Oct 1913, Topeka, KS.
Republican lawyer from Garnett. The youngest man to serve as Kansas
governor; aged 29 years when he took office. |
finding
aid |
| Green, Nehemiah |
4 Nov 1868 - 11 Jan 1869 |
B: 8 Mar 1837, Hardin County, OH.
D: 12 Jan 1890, Manhattan, KS.
Republican minister from Manhattan. |
finding
aid |
| Harvey, James Madison |
11 Jan 1869 - 13 Jan 1873 |
B: 21 Sept 1833, Monroe County, Va.
D: 15 Apr 1894 near Junction City, KS.
Republican soldier from Fort Riley. |
finding
aid |
| Osborn, Thomas Andrew |
13 Jan 1873 - 8 Jan 1877 |
B: 26 Oct 1836, Meadville, PA.
D: 4 Feb 1898, Meadville, PA.
Republican lawyer and printer from Leavenworth. |
finding
aid |
| Anthony, George Tobey |
8 Jan 1877 - 13 Jan 1879 |
B: 9 June 1824, Mayfield, N.Y.
D: 5 Aug 1896, Topeka, KS.
Republican publisher from Leavenworth. |
finding
aid |
| St. John, John Pierce |
13 Jan 1879 - 8 Jan 1883 |
B: 25 Feb 1833, Brookfield, IN.
D: 31 Aug 1916, Olathe, KS.
Republican lawyer from Olathe. |
finding aid |
| Glick, George Washington |
8 Jan 1883 - 12 Jan 1885 |
B: 4 July 1827, Greencastle, OH.
D: 13 Apr 1911, Atchison, KS.
Democratic lawyer and farmer from Atchison. |
|
| Martin, John Alexander |
12 Jan 1885 - 14 Jan 1889 |
B: 10 Mar 1839, Brownsville, PA.
D: 2 Oct 1889, Atchison, KS.
Republican editor from Atchison. |
|
| Humphrey, Lyman Underwood |
14 Jan 1889 - 9 Jan 1893 |
B: 25 July 1844, Stark County, OH.
D: 12 Sept 1915, Independence, KS.
Republican publisher from Independence. |
|
| Lewelling, Lorenzo Dow |
9 Jan 1893 - 14 Jan 1895 |
B: 1 Dec 1846, Salem, IA.
D: 3 Sept 1900, Arkansas City, KS.
Populist businessman from Wichita. |
|
| Morrill, Edmund Needham |
14 Jan 1895 - 11 Jan 1897 |
B: 12 Feb 1834, Westbrook, ME.
D: 14 Mar 1909, San Antonio, TX.
Republican banker from Hiawatha. |
|
| Leedy, John Whitnah |
11 Jan 1897 - 9 Jan 1899 |
B: 8 Mar 1849, Richland County, PA.
D: 24 Mar 1935, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Populist farmer from Le Roy. |
|
| Stanley, William Eugene |
9 Jan 1899 - 12 Jan 1903 |
B: 28 Dec 1844, Danville, OH.
D: 13 Oct 1910, Wichita, KS.
Republican lawyer from Wichita. |
|
| Bailey, Willis Joshua |
12 Jan. 1903 - 9 Jan 1905 |
B: 12 Oct 1854, Carroll County, IL.
D: 19 May 1932, Kansas City.
Republican farmer and banker from Baileyville. |
|
| Hoch, Edward Wallis |
9 Jan 1905 - 11 Jan 1909 |
B: 17 Mar 1849, Danville, KY.
D: 1 June 1925, Marion, KS.
Republican editor from Marion. |
|
| Stubbs, Walter Roscoe |
11 Jan 1909 - 13 Jan 1913 |
B: 7 Nov 1858, Richmond, VA.
D: 25 Mar 1929, Topeka, KS.
Republican contractor from Lawrence. |
|
| Hodges, George Hartshorn |
13 Jan 1913 - 11 Jan 1915 |
B: 6 Feb 1866, Richland County, WI.
D: 7 Oct 1947, Kansas City, MO.
Democratic lumberman from Olathe. |
|
| Capper, Arthur |
11 Jan 1915 - 13 Jan 1919 |
B: 14 July 1865, Garnett, KS.
D: 19 Dec 1951, Topeka, KS.
Republican publisher from Topeka. |
|
| Allen, Henry Justin |
13 Jan 1919 - 8 Jan 1923 |
B: 11 Sept 1868, Cory, PA.
D: 17 Jan 1950, Wichita, KS.
Republican publisher from Wichita.
|
|
| Davis, Jonathan McMillen |
8 Jan 1923 - 12 Jan 1925 |
B: 26 Apr 1871, Bronson, KS.
D: 27 June 1943, Ft. Scott, KS.
Democratic stockman and author from Bronson. |
|
| Paulen, Ben Sanford |
12 Jan 1925 - 14 Jan 1929 |
B: 14 July 1869, DeWitt County, IL.
D: 11 July 1961, Fredonia, KS.
Republican banker from Fredonia. |
|
| Reed, Clyde Martin |
14 Jan 1929 - 12 Jan 1931 |
B: 19 Oct 1871, Champaign County, IL.
D: 8 Nov 1949, Parsons, KS.
Republican publisher from Parsons. |
|
| Woodring, Harry Hines |
12 Jan 1931 - 9 Jan 1933 |
B: 31 May 1890, Elk City, KS.
D: 9 Sept 1967, Topeka, KS.
Democratic banker from Neodesha. |
finding
aid |
| Landon, Alfred Mossman |
9 Jan 1933 - 11 Jan 1937 |
B: 9 Sept 1887, W. Middlesex, PA.
D: 12 Oct 1987, Topeka, KS.
Republican oilman from Independence. |
|
| Huxman, Walter Augustus
| 11 Jan. 1937 - 9 Jan. 1939 |
B: 16 Feb 1887, Pretty Prairie, KS.
D: 25 June 1972, Topeka, KS.
Democratic lawyer from Hutchinson. |
finding
aid |
| Ratner, Payne |
9 Jan 1939 - 11 Jan 1943 |
B: 3 Oct 1896, Casey, IL.
D: 27 Dec 1974, Wichita, KS.
Republican lawyer from Parsons. |
|
| Schoeppel, Andrew F. |
11 Jan 1943 - 13 Jan 1947 |
B: 23 Nov 1894, Claflin, KS.
D: 21 Jan 1962, Bethesda, MD.
Republican lawyer from Ness City. |
finding
aid |
| Carlson, Frank |
13 Jan 1947 - 28 Nov 1950; resigned to become U.S.
senator |
B: 23 Jan 1893, Concordia, KS.
D: 30 May 1987, Concordia, KS.
Republican farmer/stockman from Concordia. |
finding
aid |
| Hagaman, Frank L. |
28 Nov 1950 - 8 Jan 1951; completed Frank Carlson's
term |
B: 1 June 1894, Bushnell, IL.
D: 23 June 1966, Kansas City. Republican lawyer from Kansas City. |
finding
aid |
| Arn, Edward F. |
8 Jan 1951 - 10 Jan 1955 |
B: 19 May 1906, Kansas City, KS.
D: 22 Jan 1998, Wichita, KS.
Republican lawyer from Wichita. |
|
| Hall, Fred |
10 Jan 1955 - 3 Jan 1957; resigned to become a justice
of the Kansas Supreme Court |
B: 24 July 1916, Dodge City, KS.
D: 18 Mar 1970, Shawnee, Kan.
Republican lawyer from Dodge City |
finding
aid |
| McCuish, John |
3 Jan 1957 - 14 Jan 1957; completed Fred Hall's term. |
B: 22 June 1906, Leadville, CO.
D: 12 Mar 1962, Newton, KS.
Republican publisher from Newton |
|
| Docking, George |
14 Jan 1957 - 9 Jan 1961 |
B: 23 Feb 1904, Clay Center, KS.
D: 20 Jan 1964, Kansas City, KS.
Democratic banker from Lawrence. |
Records destroyed. |
| Anderson, John, Jr. |
9 Jan 1961 - 11 Jan 1965 |
B: 8 May 1917, Olathe, KS.
Republican lawyer from Olathe. |
finding
aid |
| Avery, William H. |
11 Jan 1965 - 9 Jan 1967 |
B: 11 Aug 1911, Wakefield, KS.
Republican stockman from Wakefield. |
|
| Docking, Robert B. |
9 Jan 1967 - 13 Jan 1975 |
B: 9 Oct 1925, Kansas City, MO.
D: 8 Oct 1983, Arkansas City, KS.
Democratic banker from Arkansas City; son of Gov. George Docking. |
At
KU Spencer Research Library |
| Bennett, Robert F. |
13 Jan 1975 - 8 Jan 1979 |
B: 23 May 1927, Kansas City, MO.
Republican lawyer from Overland Park. |
At
KU Spencer Research Library |
| Carlin, John William |
8 Jan 1979 - 12 Jan 1987 |
B: 3 Aug 1940, Salina, KS.
Democratic dairy farmer from Smolan. |
|
| Hayden, John Michael (Mike) |
12 Jan 1987 - 14 Jan 1991 |
B: 16 Mar 1944, Atwood, KS.
Republican insurance agent from Atwood. |
|
| Finney, Joan |
14 Jan 1991 - 9 Jan 1995 |
B: 12 Feb 1925, Topeka, KS.
D: 28 July 2001, Topeka, KS.
Democratic State Treasurer from Topeka; the 1st woman governor of
Kansas and the oldest to date, aged 65 when she took office. |
|
| Graves, William Preston |
9 Jan 1995 - 13 Jan 2003 |
B: 9 Jan 1953, Salina, KS.
Republican Secretary of State from Salina. |
|
| Sebelius, Kathleen |
13 Jan 2003 - |
B: 15 May 1948, Cincinnati, OH.
Democratic Insurance Commissioner from Topeka; daughter of John
Gilligan, Governor of Ohio, 1971-1975. |
|
|
