Gov. H. Clarence Baldridge

About

H. C. BALDRIDGE was born in Carlock, Illinois, on November 24, 1868. He was educated in the Illinois’ public school system and at Illinois Wesleyan University. He taught school for a short time, and established a grain dealing business in Carlock. After moving to Idaho, Baldridge entered politics, serving as a member of the Idaho House of Representatives from 1911 to 1913. He also served as a member of the Idaho State Senate from 1913 to 1915, was a delegate to the 1916 Republican National Convention, and served as Idaho’s lieutenant governor from 1923 to 1927. Baldridge won the 1926 Republican gubernatorial nomination and was elected governor of Idaho. He was reelected to a second term in 1928. During his tenure, a prison farm was instituted for first-time offenders, a constitutional amendment was sanctioned granting state jurisdiction in regulating water power expansion on any given stream, the University of Idaho’s Southern Branch at Pocatello was founded, and a gasoline tax was authorized. Also, an economic symposium was held, which aided the state in its attempts to regulate finances, uphold wage levels, and in maintaining employment. Baldridge left office on January 5, 1931, and returned to his various business interests. In 1943, he secured an appointment as commissioner of charitable returns, a position he held until 1945. Governor Clarence H. Baldridge died on June 8, 1947, and was buried in Parma, Idaho.

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