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Gov. John Montgomery Dalton
Terms January 9, 1961 - January 11, 1965
Party Democrat
Born November 9, 1900
Passed July 7, 1972
Birth State Mississippi
School University of Missouri
Family Married Geraldine Hall; two children
JOHN M. DALTON was born in Vernon County, Missouri on November 9, 1900. His education was attained at Columbia High School, and at the University of Missouri, where he earned a law degree in 1923. He established his legal career, serving as the Kennett city attorney, a position he held from 1944 to 1953. He also served as the attorney to the Missouri Rural Electrification Cooperative Act. Dalton first entered politics in 1952, serving as the attorney general of Missouri, an office he held eight years. He next secured the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, and was elected governor on November 8, 1960. He was inaugurated on January 9, 1961. During his tenure, the Ozark national riverway was created; seat belt legislation was enacted; a new national park was lobbied for; funding was secured for a new state highway patrol headquarters; stricter driving laws were enforced; and school desegregation issues were dealt with. After completing his term, Dalton left office on January 11, 1965 and retired from political life. Governor John M. Dalton passed away on July 7, 1972, and was buried in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in Kennett, Missouri.
Daily Dunklin Democrat
Messages and Proclamations of the Governors of the State of Missouri (Produced by the Missouri Historical Society)
Missouri State Archives (Jefferson City, MO)
Official Manual of the State of Missouri (2005-2006)
Previous editions are not available online, but are in hard copy in the State Archives.
The Political Graveyard
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.
Current Missouri Governor
Mike Parson
Recent Missouri Governors
Gov. Eric Greitens
January 8, 2017 - June 1, 2018
Gov. Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon
January 12, 2009 - January 8, 2017
Gov. Matt Blunt
Gov. Robert L. Holden
Gov. Roger B. Wilson
Gov. Mel Eugene Carnahan
Gov. John Ashcroft
Gov. Christopher S. Bond
Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale
Gov. Warren E. Hearnes
Search For Former Governors
This searchable database identifies former governors by state and dates of service. The governors' biographies available on the NGA website provide summary biographical information only and are edited infrequently.