United States Governor Directory

Forrest H. Anderson

Forrest H. Anderson served as Governor of Montana.

  • Democratic
  • Montana
  • Former
Portrait of Forrest H. AndersonMontana
Role Governor

Current assignment referenced in the congressional directory.

State Montana

Representing constituents across the Montana delegation.

Service period 1969-1973

Years of public service formally recorded.

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Biography

FORREST H. ANDERSON was born in Helena, Montana, on January 30, 1913. He graduated from the University of Montana Law School and the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University. Anderson was a member of Montana House of Representatives (1943-1944), Lewis and Clark County Attorney (1945-1947), Special Counsel of the Industrial Accident Board (1947-1949), Associate Justice of the Montana Supreme Court (1953-1956), and Attorney General of Montana (1957-1969). As governor, Anderson reorganized state government, combining more than 100 state agencies into 19 departments and increasing the efficiency of state government. Governor Anderson also authorized the 1972 Constitutional Convention and implemented the new constitution once it was ratified. Anderson was a member of Phi Delta Theta, Shrine, 32nd Degree Mason, Elks, Eagles, Moose, and State and American Bar Associations. He chaired the Western Governors’ Conference (1971 to 1972), and served on the National Governors Association’s Executive Committee (1970-71). He passed away on July 20, 1989.

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