Sam R. McKelvie
Samuel Roy McKelvie was born April 15, 1881 in Fairfield, Nebraska. He was the son of Samuel and Jennie (Glandon) McKelvie. He attended the University of Nebraska and the Lincoln Business College before entering the publishing field with the Twentieth Century Farmer magazine in Omaha. In 1904. McKelvie was married to Martha De Arnold. He became the editor of the Nebraska Fanner in 1905, later purchasing and publishing that magazine.
McKelvie launched his political career in 1908 when he was elected to the Lincoln City Council. As a member of the Republican party, he served in the Nebraska House of Representatives from 1911-1913 and as Lieutenant Governor from 1913-15. In 1918, he conducted a successful gubernatorial campaign and was inaugurated the following January at the age of 37. His two terms as governor were active ones. Under McKelvie's direction the present state capitol building was authorized and partially funded. The State Constitution was revised, the state government was reorganized under the Civil Administration Code; highway improvement programs were organized; and a system of state parks was established. After his service as governor, McKelvie returned to publishing the Nebraska Farmer. In 1928, he declined an appointment as Secretary of Agriculture in the cabinet of President Herbert Hoover. The following year, however, he accepted a position on the Federal Farm Board where he served two years. In addition to his public service, McKelvie vie showed great interest in improving livestock in Nebraska. On his ranch, in Cherry County, By the Way, he maintained a large herd of pure-bred Herefords. He served as President of the American Hereford Association. In addition, he also participated in many civic and fraternal organizations in Lincoln, including the Chamber of Commerce; Commercial Club; Lincoln Country Club; University Club ; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and the Methodist Church.
1881-1956