Territorial Governors | Back to North Dakota Governors
Ninth Governor
Political Background:
Elmore Yocum Sarles attended public schools in Prescott, Wisconsin, and one year at Galesburg University at Galesburg, Wisconsin. He was one of five members of his high school graduating class to later become state governors.Sarles was a shrewd, successful businessman. In 1881 he arrived in Hillsboro, Dakota Territory, and founded the Traill County Bank. In 1885 the bank nationalized as the First National Bank of Hillsboro, with Sarles as its president. Sarles and his business associates started or acquired additional banks at Caledonia, Grandin, Shelly, Minnesota, and Northwood.In 1882 he founded a line of retail lumberyards, and was a partner in the J. H. and O. C. Sarles Lumber Company. He engaged in real estate and investment businesses, and owned huge tracts of farm lands in Traill County.After serving one term as mayor of Hillsboro, Sarles was elected governor. His motto was "more business in government," and there was a surplus of $200,000 in the state treasury when he left office.
Elmore Y. Sarles was a wealthy, successful businessman in the Red River Valley. Sarles and his business associates owned banks in many North Dakota and Minnesota communities.
Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Get Directions
Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are closed at noon Christmas Eve if it falls on Mon.-Thurs. and are closed all day if it falls on Fri.-Sun.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.
Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov
Social Media:
See all social media accounts
