It would probably not surprise you that a 19-year-old “printer’s devil” (apprentice) went on to purchase and operate a small-town newspaper in Idaho. Clarence Bottolfsen was that young man. A North Dakota publisher founded the Arco Advertiser in 1909 and sent for Bottolfsen who had assisted him on publications in that state. In a few years young Bottolfsen purchased the Arco paper. He would run it until 1949 and would also serve as editor and general manager of the Blackfoot Daily Bulletin from 1934-1938. He was elected president of the Idaho Editorial Association in 1929.
So, a newspaper man through and through. No surprise. What might be news to you is why he is well-known in Idaho history.
Clarence A. Bottolfsen participated in Idaho politics. A lot. He served in the Idaho House of Representatives in the 1921 and 1923 session, back when the legislature met every other year. He had the appointed position of chief clerk of the House in 1925 and 1927, then came back as an elected representative in 1929 and 1931, serving as speaker of the house in 1931. He worked as Republican State Chair in 1936 and 37. In 1938 Idaho citizens elected him governor. In 1940 he ran for that office, again, but lost to Chase Clark. He had better luck in 1942, defeating Clark and serving a second term, making him the first governor in Idaho to serve in non-consecutive terms. Cecil D. Andrus was the second.
Bottolfsen ran for U.S. Senate in 1944, losing to Glen H. Taylor. He was appointed chief clerk of the Idaho House in 1949 and 1951. In 1953 he served as Deputy Sergeant of Arms of the U.S. Senate. He was back in Idaho in 1955 and 1956, serving again as the Chief Clerk of the Idaho House.
In 1958. Bottolfsen ran for a seat in the Idaho Senate. He won, serving until 1962 when his health precluded another run.
If you think serving as governor, twice, several terms in the Idaho House and Senate, and various political appointments, along with running a newspaper was enough to keep Bottolfsen busy, you’d be wrong. He was elected permanent parliamentarian for the National Education Association in 1937, a post he held for 17 years. Bottolfsen also served as State Commander of the American Legion (he served in the army during WWI) and was active in the Masons, and the Arco Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.
C.A. Bottolfsen passed away at the VA Hospital in Boise in 1964. He was 72.
So, a newspaper man through and through. No surprise. What might be news to you is why he is well-known in Idaho history.
Clarence A. Bottolfsen participated in Idaho politics. A lot. He served in the Idaho House of Representatives in the 1921 and 1923 session, back when the legislature met every other year. He had the appointed position of chief clerk of the House in 1925 and 1927, then came back as an elected representative in 1929 and 1931, serving as speaker of the house in 1931. He worked as Republican State Chair in 1936 and 37. In 1938 Idaho citizens elected him governor. In 1940 he ran for that office, again, but lost to Chase Clark. He had better luck in 1942, defeating Clark and serving a second term, making him the first governor in Idaho to serve in non-consecutive terms. Cecil D. Andrus was the second.
Bottolfsen ran for U.S. Senate in 1944, losing to Glen H. Taylor. He was appointed chief clerk of the Idaho House in 1949 and 1951. In 1953 he served as Deputy Sergeant of Arms of the U.S. Senate. He was back in Idaho in 1955 and 1956, serving again as the Chief Clerk of the Idaho House.
In 1958. Bottolfsen ran for a seat in the Idaho Senate. He won, serving until 1962 when his health precluded another run.
If you think serving as governor, twice, several terms in the Idaho House and Senate, and various political appointments, along with running a newspaper was enough to keep Bottolfsen busy, you’d be wrong. He was elected permanent parliamentarian for the National Education Association in 1937, a post he held for 17 years. Bottolfsen also served as State Commander of the American Legion (he served in the army during WWI) and was active in the Masons, and the Arco Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.
C.A. Bottolfsen passed away at the VA Hospital in Boise in 1964. He was 72.
Dedicated Idaho politician C.A. Bottolfsen.
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