United States Governor Directory

John Moses

John Moses served as Governor of North Dakota.

  • Democratic
  • North Dakota
  • Former
Portrait of John MosesNorth Dakota
Role Governor

Current assignment referenced in the congressional directory.

State North Dakota

Representing constituents across the North Dakota delegation.

Service period 1939-1945

Years of public service formally recorded.

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Biography

JOHN MOSES, the twenty-second governor of North Dakota, was born in Strand, Norway on June 12, 1885. His education was attained in Norway, where he attended high school and junior college. After moving to the United States, he continued his education at the University of North Dakota, earning both an undergraduate degree and law degree. He then went on to establish a legal practice in Hazen, North Dakota. Moses first entered politics as the states attorney for Mercer County, a position he held from 1919 to 1923 and 1927 to 1933. He next secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor in the 1938 general election. He went on to win reelection to a second term in 1940 and a third term in 1942. During his tenure, state spending was controlled; and the state’s agricultural crops flourished. After leaving the governorship, Moses served in the U.S. Senate, an office he held from January 3, 1945 until he passed away on March 3, 1945. Governor John Moses was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bismarck, North Dakota.

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