Governor # 4: Charles Nelson Herreid

Pierre, South Dakota

In office 1901-1905

Charles Herreid became South Dakota's first 20th century governor and spearheaded a number of progressive causes, including the construction of gravel roads to replace the state's dirt/mud roads, government assistance for the South Dakota's farmers and Native Americans, and opposition to the state's big business interests and political machines. Although popular, he sought no third term as governor and returned to his law practice in Aberdeen.

Herreid's statue, sculpted by James Michael Maher, depicts him as a manly man with broad shoulders, a shock of thick hair with a soft-serve cone swirl, and a walrus mustache. Despite his vigorous appearance, Herreid died in 1928 of food poisoning, possibly after eating some bad potato salad.