Eli C. D. Shortridge

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Eli C. D. Shortridge (March 29, 1830 – February 4, 1908) was an American politician who was the Independent Governor of North Dakota from 1893 to 1895. Eli C. D. Shortridge was the first governor to live in the executive mansion.

[edit] Biography

Shortridge grew up in Monroe County, Missouri, and completed his education at an academy located near Paris, Missouri. He moved to Larimore, North Dakota with his family in 1882, and ran for governor ten years later in 1893 on a fusion ticket composed of Populists, Democrats, and the Farmers' Alliance, who merged into a single political party.

During his administration, Shortridge approved the issuance of $50,000 in bonds to construct the south wing of the state capitol and approved the purchase of an executive mansion for the governor's residence. He also supported an appropriation for a state elevator at Duluth, Minnesota. An out-of-state terminal elevator was not constructed largely due to a provision requiring North Dakota sovereignty over any elevator site. The bill passed, but the provision that Minnesota or Wisconsin would have to cede sovereignty over the site created an unacceptable situation for both states. Governor Shortridge retired from office after one term. He was appointed clerk of the General Land Office at Devils Lake, North Dakota.

[edit] External links

• Biography for Eli C. D. Shortridge from the State Historical Society of North Dakota website.
• Eli C. D. Shortridge at Find A Grave

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