Roy Elmer Ayers

Democrat Representative of Montana's 2nd district

  • Representative

    Montana, district 2

    January 3, 1935 - January 3, 1937

2

Congresses Served

2

House Terms

November 9, 1882 (72 years old)

Birthday

May 23, 1955

Death

  • First governor of Montana born in what would become the state
  • Graduated from the law department of Valparaiso University in 1903
  • Practiced law and engaged in ranching and livestock raising
  • Served as attorney of Fergus County and Judge of the Tenth Judicial District of Montana
  • Served as chairman of the Fergus County Exemption Board during WWI
  • Briefly served as Justice of the State Supreme Court before resigning to resume private practice
  • Ran unsuccessfully for Governor of Montana twice before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1932
  • Elected as the 11th Governor of Montana in 1936, overseeing state bureaucracy expansion and financial improvements
  • Testimony before a select committee revealed misappropriation of foodstuffs and liquor during his governorship
  • Defeated in the 1940 gubernatorial election and unsuccessful in a 1944 primary challenge
  • Delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1920 and 1940
  • Returned to ranching after his political career ended
  • Died in Lewistown, Montana, and was interred at the Lewistown City Cemetery