Kenneth Spicer WHERRY, Congress, NE (1892-1951)

WHERRY, Kenneth Spicer, a Senator from Nebraska; born in Liberty, Gage County, Nebr., February 28, 1892; attended the public schools and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1914; attended Harvard University in 1915 and 1916; during the First World War served in the United States Navy Flying Corps in 1917 and 1918; engaged in the sale of automobiles, furniture, and in livestock farming; studied law; admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Pawnee City, Nebr.; member of the Pawnee City council in 1927 and 1929; mayor of Pawnee City 1929-1931, 1938-1943; member, State senate 1929-1932; unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1932; unsuccessful candidate for nomination for United States Senator in 1934; western director for the Republican National Committee 1941-1942; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1942; reelected in 1948 and served from January 3, 1943, until his death; Republican whip 1944-1949; minority leader 1949-1951; chairman, Special Committee on Problems of Small Business (Eightieth Congress); died in Washington, D.C., November 29, 1951; interment in Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Nebr.

Bibliography

American National Biography; Dictionary of American Biography; Paul, Justis F. “Butler, Griswold, Wherry: The Struggle for Dominance of Nebraska Republicanism, 1941-1946.” North Dakota Quarterly 43 (Autumn 1975): 51-61; Stromer, Marvin. The Making of a Political Leader, Kenneth S. Wherry and the United States Senate. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1969.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present