William Langer
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William "Wild Bill" Langer (September 30 1886 - November 8 1959) was a prominent politician from North Dakota. He was born near Casselton, ND in Everest Township on September 30, 1886. He graduated from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks and from Columbia. He practiced law in Mandan, ND before starting his career in politics. A [Republican], he lost the first time he ran for governor, as well as his first senatorial race. However, he was governor for two years and a senator for nearly twenty years. During the depression, he was removed from office by the state supreme court for allegedly pressuring recipients of governmental aid to donate money to his private newspaper. He was found guilty in 1934 and removed from office for having committed a felony, but later was acquitted in late 1935. In his absence, his wife Lydia Langer ran for governor. Despite all this however, he was re-elected as governor and eventually as senator.
He married Lydia Cady, the daughter of a New York architect in 1918 and had four daughters, Emma, Lydia, Mary and Cornelia. He was an isolationist, wanting to minimize America?s involvement in World War II. At home, he concentrated on making life easier for the farmers of North Dakota by raising wheat prices and doling out government relief, although amidst rumors of great scandal. He was also very adamant about implementing affordable healthcare for everyone. As a senator, he served on the Post Office, Civil Service and Indian Affairs committees.
He died on November 8th, 1959.
Langer is one of the most colorful characters in North Dakota history, most famously bouncing back from a scandal that forced him out of office and into prison.
A quick summary of his career:
