William H. McMaster

William H. McMaster (1877-1968) was a progressive Republican banker and politician who fought for farmers in hard times and helped build the Meridian Bridge. Orphaned at 17 in Iowa, he graduated from Beloit College and came to Yankton in 1901 to work as a bank cashier in nearby Gayville, then soon established several area banks. He represented Yankton in the state legislature and as lieutenant governor. Elected governor in 1920, he led South Dakota through the post-World War I agricultural crisis, suspended foreclosures on state farm loans, and battled monopolistic oil companies by selling fairly priced fuel at state highway shops. He also encouraged construction of bridges over the Missouri River, including Yankton's privately funded Meridian Bridge, which he dedicated before a crowd of 20,000 on Oct. 16, 1924, in the name of progress and the sacrifice of Yankton's citizens and their friends. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1924, he further aided farmers as the Great Depression arrived. He lost reelection in 1930, later moved to Dixon, Ill., continued his banking career there, and was buried there.

Yankton, South Dakota · United States