Samuel R. McKelvie

(1881-1956) born near Fairfield, Clay County, lived in Omaha, Lincoln, and near Valentine. Cattle breeder, businessman, publisher, politician, served as member of U.S. Federal Farm Bureau for two years after declining an offer to become U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, was American delegate to the 1931 International Wheat Conference in London, was two-term governor of Nebraska during which time a state constitutional convention was held, a reorganization of state government occurred, and authorization and construction of a new state capitol (completed in 1932) was initiated, published Nebraska Farmer more than 40 years, directed for 12 years the American Hereford Association, and owned 6,000-acre ranch; appeared on cover of Time, June 1, 1931. Consult J. R. Johnson, Representative Nebraskans (Johnsen Publishing, 1954) 115-120 and Omaha World Herald Magazine, December 14, 1952, pp. G 7, G-23 and New York Times obituary, January 7, 1956, p. 17.

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