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Military Service: Army

War(s) Served:  Korean War

FRANK LEROY FARRAR was born in Britton, South Dakota. He received a B.S. in 1951 and an LL.B. in 1953, both from the University of South Dakota. He served with the U.S. Army Reserve from 1949 to 1953 and was on active duty during the Korean conflict from 1953 to 1955. When the conflict ended, he became an Internal Revenue Agent, serving until 1957. He was then a judge (1958) and State's Attorney (1959-1962) in Marshall County, after which he was elected Attorney General of South Dakota, serving in that position (1963-1969) until he became governor. During Farrar's single term as governor, South Dakota was hit by floods that resulted in twenty-six counties being declared disaster areas. Farrar ran for reelection in 1970 but was defeated by his Democratic opponent. After leaving office, he chaired several holding companies and became owner of numerous banks. An avid marathon runner, he began competing in the Ironman races when he was 65 and had competed in thirteen races as of 2002.

Sources:

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

South Dakota State Historical Society

Portraits of South Dakota's Previous Governors