Biography of Frank M. Byrne

	From: History of Dakota Territory  by George W. Kingsbury (1915), vol. V, p. 5-6
	
	Transcribed by Judy Huber, huberj@btigate.com


HON. FRANK M. BYRNE

Hon. Frank M. Byrne, serving for the second term as governor of South Dakota, is 
a statesman with a knowledge of the science of government and with a grasp of 
practical affairs that enables him to so perform the duties of his position as 
to render important service to the commonwealth. His entire life has been an 
expression of the spirit of western enterprise. He is of Irish ancestry and a 
native of Iowa, born October 23, 1858. His parents were both natives of Ireland.

He was reared in the usual manner of the farm lad and educated in the public schools. 
The studious habits of his early life have continued with him and he remains today 
an omniverous reader.  From his earliest youth he has been a student of public 
affairs, intelligently interested in the leading questions and issues of the day.  

In 1879 a little while before he attained his majority, be came to Dakota territory 
and secured a homestead claim in McCook county, upon which he took up his abode, 
meeting the usual experiences, privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. 
In 1883 he removed to Faulk county and engaged in the real-estate and loan business 
for two years. He spent the years 1885 and 1886 in North Dakota, where he gave his 
attention to the real-estate and insurance business and in 1888 he returned to Faulk 
county, where he took up the occupation of farming in connection with real-estate 
dealing, carrying on both lines extensively.

The year which witnessed the admission of South Dakota into the Union was the year 
in which Mr. Byrne was elected a member of the first state senate. Later he served 
four years as county treasurer of Faulk county. In 1906 he was again elected senator 
to represent Faulk and Potter counties in the South Dakota general assembly. His 
legislative record is an enviable one. Through his efforts were secured the enactment 
of much progressive legislation that worked a complete revolution and much needed 
improvement on the old order. He introduced and secured the passage of an anti-pass 
law, which at the time, was the most stringent and effective ever enacted in the 
United States; he was also instrumental in securing the passage of the two cent fare 
law; the reciprocal demurrage law; the law requiring railroad companies to pay taxes 
on terminal property buildings, grounds, side and passing tracks, etc.; a law that 
has reduced express rates sixty-five per cent; and important insurance legislation 
leading to the reorganization of the insurance department. He also was active in 
bringing about the enactment of the anti-lobby law, which is most effective. He was 
recognized as one of the most active forces in the upper house and the course which 
he pursued always indicated a comprehensive study of the question under consideration. 
He actively supported the passage of the primary election law, the corrupt practice 
act, the law relating to corporation contributions to campaign funds and other 
important railroad legislation, beside that already mentioned.  His course received 
strong indorsement in his district in his reelection to the senate in 1908.

In 1910 he was elected lieutenant governor of South Dakota for a two years' term 
and at the general election of 1912 was chosen chief executive of the state, in 
which office he so wisely directed the affairs of the commonwealth that he was 
re-elected in 1914. His administration is notable for his furtherance of progressive 
legislation and much constructive work leading to the development of the state and 
to the adoption of higher civic standards and ideals. Important features of his 
administration are the creation of a tax commission, the passage of an inheritance 
tax law, the railroad rate legislation, the bank guarantee act, etc. 

In politics he is a republican. While he holds to the old principles of the party, 
he is ever ready to take a forward step, knowing that legislation and political 
service must keep abreast with the advancement of the times and meet the changing 
conditions brought about by an expanding civilization. Since 1889 he has been a 
member of the republican state central committee and has been most active in the 
work and councils of the party.

In April, 1888, Governor Byrne was married to Miss Emma Beaver, of Kenton, Ohio; 
they have five sons: Carroll Beaver, Francis J., Malcolm, Joseph D. and Emmons. 
The first named is a graduate of the Annapolis Naval Academy of the class of 1912 
and is now an ensign in the United States navy.

Governor Byrne is a Congregationalist and belongs to the various Masonic bodies, 
the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. Those hours which are usually termed leisure 
are devoted to reading as a means of recreation and such is his broad general 
information that association with him means expansion and elevation. His record 
as governor marks a most constructive period in the history of South Dakota and 
along all lines he has been an advocate of progress and advancement.

Perhaps no man in public life has had so few enemies.  Even his political opponents 
entertain for him the warmest personal regard and admiration, recognizing the honesty 
of his convictions and the loyalty of his course. One of his pleasing traits is that 
he never forgets a friend, among all those whom he has known, the playmates of his 
boyhood, the associates of his early manhood, those whom he has met in business 
connections and his later associates in legislative circles. His life record finds 
embodiment in the words of Pope:

	"Statesman, yet friend to truth; of soul sincere, 
	In action faithful and in honor clear;
	Who broke no promise, served no private end, 
	Who gained no title and who lost no friend."