Thye, Edward John

Thye, Edward John

(1896–1969) governor, U.S. senator; born in Frederick, S.D. A farmer all his life, he became the deputy commissioner of agriculture for Minnesota (1938–42). Elected lieutenant governor (Rep., 1943), he became governor (1943–45) when Harold Stassen left to serve in the navy and was elected for a full term (1945–47). He moved on to the U.S. Senate (Rep., Minn.; 1947–59) where he supported civil rights and aid to education.