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Tenth Territorial Governor
Political Background:
Governor Mellette came to Dakota of his own accord, rather than as a presidential appointment. He served in the Civil War, then studied and practiced law in Indiana. Mellette came to Springfield, Dakota Territory, in an attempt to improve his wife's poor health. From 1878 to 1883 he served as register of the Land Office at Springfield and then Watertown.
Mellette served as governor seven months before statehood. When the territory split into North Dakota and South Dakota, he became the first governor of South Dakota, and John Miller became governor of North Dakota.
Arthur Calvin Mellette was the last Territorial governor. When statehood split the Territory, Mellette became the first governor of South Dakota.
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612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
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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.
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phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov
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