Donald Strehle Whitehead (October 10, 1888 – January 2, 1957) was an American politician from Idaho. The state's 23rd and 28th lieutenant governor, he served a combined six years between 1939 and 1951.
Early life
Whitehead was born on December 10, 1888, in Three Oaks, Michigan, to parents William Searing Whitehead and Louise M. Whitehead (nee Strehle).[3] The family moved to Idaho when Whitehead was six months old.[4]
Whitehead graduated Boise High School in 1904 and he graduated the University of Idaho in 1907. [3][4]
He planned to become an engineer, but his father's illness forced him to return to the family business; In 1909, Whitehead became a druggist in Boise, and on November 17, 1909, he married Muriel G. Shaw.[3]
Political career
Whitehead began his political career in 1922, when he was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives. In 1929, he was elected Speaker of the House.
Whitehead was first elected lieutenant governor in 1938 and served in the first administration of GovernorC. A. Bottolfsen. He was elected again in 1946 and served a four-year term under Governor C. A. Robins. He previously served as speaker of the state's house of representatives.
In 1950, Whitehead announced plans to run for governor; A heart attack led him to cancel those plans.[9]
Death
Whitehead died in 1957; At the time of his death, he was the only person to have served as both Speaker of the Idaho House and as Lt. Governor. [4] Whitehead had been active in the local Episcopal cathedral and its Scottish Rite organization. [4]
