SENATOR CHAN GURNEY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 07/30/1945 - HFSID 293680

SENATOR CHAN GURNEY
The U.S. Senator from South Dakota responds to Ralph E. Ward's request for an autograph by signing this letter.
Typed Letter Signed: "Chan Gurney" as U.S. Senator, 1 page, 8x10½. Washington, D.C., 1945 July 30. On letterhead of the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations addressed to Mr. Ralph Errington Ward, Washington, D.C. In full: "Dear Mr. Ward: I have your letter asking for my autograph and trust my signature at the bottum (sic) of this letter will serve you (sic) purpose. With kind regards, I am Sincerely yours," Affixed to an 8½x11 page (2 surfaces) with the transmittal envelope, postmarked Washington, D.C. July 30, 1945, with Gurney's ink stamped frank affixed on verso (2 surfaces). John Chandler Gurney (1896-1985) was born in Yankton, South Dakota. During World War I he served as a sergeant in the United States Army's, Company A, Thirty-Fourth Engineers, A businessman, Gurney worked in the seed and nursery business (1914-1926), operated a Radio Station in Yankton, South Dakota (1926-1932) and spent a few years in the gasoline and oil business (1932-1936). After running an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1936, he was elected to the United States Senate as a Republican from South Dakota in 1938. He served in the Senate seat from January 3, 1939 until January 3, 1951. During the 18th Congress he was chairman of the Committee on Armed Services. In 1954 he was appointed chairmen of the Civil Aeronautics Board. From the collection Ralph Errington Ward (1926-2009) a fighter pilot and squadron commander in the China-Burma-India Theater of World War II. Ward became President and CEO of Cheseborough-Ponds, Inc., transforming the cosmetics firm into a major home product conglomerate. Adhesive on verso (affixing letter to the page). Normal mailing folds. Lightly creased. Otherwise, fine condition.