Herbert B. Maw

Herbert B. Maw
Maw (ca. 1936)
8th Governor of Utah
In office January 6, 1941 – January 3, 1949
Preceded by	Henry H. Blood
Succeeded by	J. Bracken Lee
Personal details
Born	(1893-03-11)March 11, 1893 Ogden, Utah
Died	Salt Lake City, Utah
Resting place	Salt Lake City Cemetery
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Florence Buehler
Children	5
Alma mater	University of Utah Northwestern University
Profession	Politician
Religion	The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)

Herbert Brown Maw (March 11, 1893 – November 17, 1990) was an American politician and the eighth Governor of Utah. He served as governor from 1941 to 1949. He was a Democrat and was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Early life

Maw was born in Ogden, Utah. When he was seven his family moved to Salt Lake City. He studied at LDS High School as a youth.

Education

Maw received his LLB and BS from the University of Utah, an MA from Northwestern University in 1926 and a JD also from Northwestern in 1927.

Military

Maw was trained as a pilot by the Aviation Corps during World War I at Kelley Air Base in Texas. Before he was deployed in this service he was made an LDS Chaplain with the rank of First Lieutenant and assigned to work with the 89th Division at Camp Funston, Kansas. He was then sent to Europe and after the end of the war served in the Army of Occupation in Germany. Maw was one of only three LDS chaplains in the US Military during World War I.

Early career

Maw taught at LDS Business College from 1916 to 1917 and from 1919 to 1923. He was a professor of speech at the University of Utah from 1927 until 1940. Maw served as Dean of Men at the University of Utah from 1928 until 1936. Maw was influential on the development of the University of Utah and its future course.

Political career

Maw was elected to the Utah State Senate in 1928 where he served until 1938. Maw served as the President of the Utah State Senate from 1934 until 1938. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for the US Senate in 1934 and Governor in 1936. His loss was partly a result of his strong support of measures to help workers. Maw's winning the Democratic nomination in 1940 was largely the result of his successful push for direct primaries.

Maw was first elected governor of Utah in 1940, defeating Republican Don B. Colton. While serving as governor Maw pushed through reductions in the utility rates and regulations on ore extraction in the state.

In 1944 Maw was narrowly re-elected over Republican J. Bracken Lee in the closest gubernatorial election in Utah History. In 1948 Maw lost to Lee in a re-match. In This election Maw was a clear and consistent opponent of liberalizing Utah's drinking laws.

Religious life

Maw held many positions in the LDS Church. He was a Sunday School teacher in both Salt Lake City and Chicago. He also taught in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA) and was a ward and stake leader of that organization. In 1928 and 1929, he was the Superintendent of the Liberty Stake Sunday School, during which years he was also a member of the stake high council. From 1928 to 1935, Maw was a member of the general board of the YMMIA. In December 1935, Maw became a member of the Deseret Sunday School Union General Board.

Family

Maw married Florence Buehler on June 22, 1922. They had five children.

References

Political offices
Preceded by Henry H. Blood	Governor of Utah January 6, 1941 – 1949	Succeeded by J. Bracken Lee