Roy Elmer AYERS, Congress, MT (1882-1955)

AYERS, Roy Elmer, a Representative from Montana; born on a ranch near Lewistown, Fergus County, Mont., November 9, 1882; attended the rural schools and Lewistown High School; was graduated from the law department of Valparaiso (Ind.) University in 1903; was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Lewistown, Mont.; also became engaged in ranching and the raising of livestock; served as attorney of Fergus County, Mont., 1905-1909; member of the Montana Board of Education 1908-1912; judge of the tenth judicial district of Montana 1913-1921 and justice of the State supreme court from January 1922 until his resignation on November 22, 1922, when he resumed the private practice of law in Lewistown, Mont.; during the First World War served as chairman of the Fergus County Exemption Board; delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1920 and 1940 and to every State Democratic Convention 1906-1940; elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1933-January 3, 1937); was not a candidate for renomination, but was a successful candidate for Governor of Montana and served in that office from January 4, 1937, until January 6, 1941; resumed his ranching activities; died in Lewistown, Mont., May 23, 1955; interment in Lewistown City Cemetery.

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