Nevada
Gov. Frederick Bennett Balzar
- January 3, 1927 - March 21, 1934
- Republican
- June 15, 1880
- March 21, 1934
- Nevada
- Married Idelle Edna Sinnamon; one child
About
FREDERICK B. BALZAR, the fifteenth governor of Nevada, was born in Virginia City, Nevada, on June 15, 1880. His early education was attained in Nevada’s common schools, and later he graduated from Polytechnic High School in San Francisco. After stage driving, ranching, railroading and working in the mining industry, Balzar entered into politics as a member of the Nevada Assembly, a position he held from 1905 to 1906. He also served as a member of the Nevada State Senate from 1909 to 1916, was the sheriff and county assessor of Mineral County from 1917 to 1926, and served as chairman of the Nevada Republican Party from 1924 to 1925. Balzar next secured the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor by a popular vote in November 1926. He was reelected to a second term in 1930. During his tenure, funds were secured for construction on the Hoover Dam, gambling was legalized in 1931, a six-week divorce law was sanctioned, and Balzar reduced the state’s bonded indebtedness and revived the state National Guard. While still in office, Governor Frederick B. Balzar passed away on March 21, 1934. He was buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Reno, Nevada.
Source
Nevada State Archives: Frederick Bennett Balzar 1927-1934
Nevada State Library and Archives: Nevada Governors' Biographical Information
Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 3, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.
