State Web Site

ADOLPH O. EBERHART, the seventeenth governor of Minnesota, was born in Varmland, Sweden on June 23, 1870. After emigrating to the United States, his family first settled in Nebraska and later moved to Minnesota. Eberhart's education was attained at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he graduated in 1895. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1898. Eberhart first entered politics in 1902, serving as a member of the Minnesota State Senate, a position he held until 1906. He also served as the lieutenant governor of Minnesota from 1906 to 1909. On September 21, 1909, Governor John A. Johnson died in office, and Eberhart, who was the lieutenant governor at the time, assumed the duties of the governorship. He was elected to a term of his own on November 8, 1910, and was reelected to a second term in 1912. During his tenure, a corrupt practice law was sanctioned; a reapportionment bill was initiated; and legislation was approved that authorized direct primaries for all state officials. After running unsuccessfully for reelection, Eberhart left office on January 5, 1915, and retired from political life. He later worked in the insurance and real estate industries in Chicago, Illinois. Governor Adolph O. Eberhart passed away on December 6, 1944.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

Minnesota Historical Society

The Political Graveyard

Biography.ms