Miller in Hand County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Harlan J. Bushfield & Vera S. Cahalan Bushfield
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018
1. Harlan J. Bushfield & Vera S. Cahalan Bushfield Marker
The Bushfields were community leaders in Miller and both served on many boards. Harlan also served as Hand County State's Attorney and as state chairman of the South Dakota Republican Party.
Harlan was elected South Dakota Governor in 1938. He led the state through the beginning of World War II. He reduced state spending, cut sales and property taxes, and lobbied to end the state income tax. He promoted regional plans for Missouri River development, which led to the Pick-Sloan plan for dam construction.
In 1942, Harlan was elected to the U.S. Senate. He suffered a stroke and died in 1948 before the end of his term. Vera was appointed to her husband's seat, making her the second woman to represent South Dakota in Congress.
Harlan and Vera Bushfield were public servants who carried small town values from Miller, to Pierre, and onto Washington, D.C.
Erected 2015 by State of South Dakota. (Marker Number 704.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work
this page online
Location. 44° 31.244′ N, 98° 59.299′ W. Marker is in Miller, South Dakota, in Hand County. Marker is on East 5th Street east of North Broadway (U.S. 14), on the right when traveling west. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, on the north side of 5th Street, just east of Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Miller SD 57362, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 1 other marker is within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Greenleaf United Methodist Church (approx. 8 miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Governor Harlan John Bushfield. Governor Bushfield was one of South Dakota’s most fiscally conservative leaders. He was an ardent admirer of Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson, and especially admired Jefferson’s commitment to fiscal responsibility. Bushfield consolidated state departments, cut 300 state jobs, and cut spending by 26 percent. He cut the state sales
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018
2. Harlan J. Bushfield & Vera S. Cahalan Bushfield Marker (tall view)
2. Vera Sarah Cahalan Bushfield. During her husband’s political career, Vera Bushfield became a noted speaker throughout South Dakota, specialized in women’s and children’s issues, and was her husband’s most trusted adviser. In early 1948, Harlan Bushfield announced that due to ill health, he would not seek re–election. On September 27, 1948, with Congress out of session, he passed away. The Republican Governor of South Dakota, George T. Mickleson, appointed Vera Bushfield to fill her husband’s unexpired term on October 6 to “permit the late Harlan J. Bushfield’s office to function normally and without interruption.” (Submitted on September 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018
3. Harlan J. Bushfield & Vera S. Cahalan Bushfield Marker (wide view looking north)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016
4. Harlan John Bushfield Memorial Statue (near State Capitol in Pierre, South Dakota)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 19, 2016
5. Harlan John Bushfield Memorial detail (near State Capitol in Pierre, South Dakota)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on November 8, 2021. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4, 5. submitted on October 9, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
