Charles L. McNary

Charles L. McNary was a prominent American politician who served as a United States Senator from Oregon from 1917 until his death in 1944. He was a member of the Republican Party and played a significant role in the development of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Bonnieville Power Administration. McNary was also a strong supporter of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration and worked closely with President Franklin D. Roosevelt on various agricultural policies. He was a key figure in the Republican National Convention and was considered a potential candidate for the Republican Party presidential primaries, 1940.

● Early Life and Education

Charles L. McNary was born on June 12, 1874, in Salem, Oregon, to a family of Methodist farmers. He attended Willamette University and later graduated from Stanford University in 1897, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. McNary then went on to study law at Harvard Law School, graduating in 1900. After completing his education, he returned to Salem, Oregon, and began practicing law with his brother, John Hugh McNary. McNary was also an active member of the American Bar Association and the Oregon State Bar.

● Career

Before entering politics, McNary worked as a lawyer and a farmer, owning a large orchard in Salem, Oregon. He was also a member of the Oregon State Board of Control and served as a circuit court judge from 1909 to 1913. McNary's experience in law and agriculture would later influence his political career, particularly in his work on the Agricultural Adjustment Act and the Soil Conservation Service. He was a strong supporter of the Farm Credit Administration and worked closely with Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace to implement various agricultural programs.

● Politics and Legacy

McNary was first elected to the United States Senate in 1917, filling a vacancy left by the death of Harry Lane. He went on to serve for over 25 years, becoming a prominent figure in the Republican Party. McNary was a strong advocate for the development of the Columbia River and played a key role in the creation of the Bonnieville Power Administration. He also worked closely with President Herbert Hoover on various issues, including the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. McNary was a potential candidate for the Republican Party presidential primaries, 1940, but ultimately decided not to run. He was a close friend and ally of Robert A. Taft and Arthur H. Vandenberg, and the three men often worked together on various legislative initiatives.

● Personal Life

McNary was married to Jessie Breyman McNary and had no children. He was a member of the Masonic order and the Elks Lodge. McNary was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing in his free time. He was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and the 4-H organization. McNary's personal life was marked by a strong commitment to public service and a dedication to his constituents in Oregon.

● Death and Tributes

Charles L. McNary died on February 25, 1944, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after a long battle with cancer. He was remembered as a dedicated public servant and a champion of agricultural interests. The McNary Dam on the Columbia River was named in his honor, as well as the McNary National Wildlife Refuge in Washington. McNary's legacy continues to be felt in the Pacific Northwest, where he is remembered as a strong advocate for the region's agricultural and environmental interests. He was also a close friend and ally of Senator Warren G. Magnuson and Representative Henry M. Jackson, and the three men often worked together on various legislative initiatives related to the Columbia River Basin.