Henry Semon (November 3, 1884 – October 9, 1958), also known as Hank Semon, was a potato farmer and politician from Oregon. He served twelve terms in the Oregon House of Representatives, making him one of the longest serving members of that body. A conservative Democrat from a rural district, Semon was known for his ability to work with Republicans in the state legislature. As a result, he served as chairman of the powerful ways and means committee for nine terms, serving in that position under both Democratic and Republican majorities. He was also an innovative farmer, who brought a new potato variety into common use in south central Oregon.
Early life
Semon was born on November 3, 1884, in Port Clinton, Ohio. He was the son of Thomas and Louise (Nieman) Semon. His parents were born in (Germany) and immigrated to the United States when they were young. Semon grew up on his parents' Ohio farm, near Lake Erie. He attended public school in Port Clinton and then took work as a carpenter. He pursued that trade in Ohio until 1906 when he left for the west coast."Pioneer Grower Victim of Stroke", Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, October 9, 1958, p. 1."Death Takes Henry Semon", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, October 9, 1958, p. 1."Ex-Rep Semon Succumbs at Klamath Falls", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, October 10, 1958, p. 1."Henry Semon is Praised in Voter", Evening Herald, Klamath Fall, Oregon, December 1, 1932, p. 7.
After arriving in California, Semon worked for a short time in Los Angeles. He then moved to Bisbee, Arizona where he worked as a carpenter. While there, Semon became interested in modern farming practices and related technologies. After two years in Arizona, he moved to California's Imperial Valley to pursue those interests. He leased land there and planted a cantaloupe crop, but it was not a profitable venture so he returned to Los Angeles where he took up his carpentry trade once again.
Despite failing at his initial farming attempt, Semon continued to look for a location to establish a farming operation. In 1910, Semon purchased a farm in southern Klamath County, Oregon. He initially planted apple trees and berries, but soon began growing potatoes."Fruit Industry in the Basin Thriving", Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, July 30, 1911, p.14. Semon was widely known for his innovative farmer practices."Semon’s Spuds Looking Fine", Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, August 16, 1912, p. 1."Rotary Hears of Dairying and Potatoes", Klamath News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, December 19, 1931, p. 6. He introduced the Netted Gem variety of potato to the county. This new variety quickly became an important crop in the Klamath Basin. He was also the first farmer in the Klamath Basin to harvest alsike clover.
Semon married Hazel Burnett on April 16, 1916."Lone Pine Locals", Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, April 22, 1916, p. 6. Together, they had two children, Gretchen born in 1917 and Charles born in 1920. During this period, Semon also became active in a number of Klamath County civic and commercial organizations. He was a member of Klamath Elks Lodge, the local Rotary club, the Henley area Grange, and the Klamath County chamber of commerce. He was a founding member and first president of the Klamath County Potato Growers Association. Semon was also a member of Klamath County School Board for 7 years." Klamath Well Represented at Economic Meet", Klamath News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, January 25, 1924, p. 5. In addition, he was a founding director of the First Federal Saving and Loan Association of Klamath Falls and served on the association's board of directors the twenty-five years."Federal Loan Association Formed here", Klamath News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, September 1, 1934, p. 8."J. B. (Jack) Bishop", Herald and News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, November 16, 1958, p. 6.
State Representative, 1930s
In 1932, Semon decided to run for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives as an independent candidate. To qualify for the general election ballot as an independent, Semon had to gather the signatures of 250 Klamath County voters on a nominating petition, which he did."Few Candidate Filings Made at this Time", Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, September 20, 1932, p. 2. "Two Independent Candidates File", News-Review, Roseburg, Oregon, September 20, 1932, p. 6. In the general election, Semon got the most votes in a field of four candidates, winning one of the two District 32 seats that represented Klamath County in the state House of Representatives."County Results", Evening Herald, Klamath Falls, Oregon, November 10, 1932, p. 1. Semon was the only Independent in the Oregon legislature that session. He served in the regular session that began on January 1, 1933, and lasted through March 9."Democrats to be Power in Legislature", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 11, 1932, p. 7."1933 Regular Session (37th): January 9 – March 9", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon. Retrieved May 13, 2017. During the session, Semon served as chairman of the agriculture committee. He was also a member of horticulture, irrigation and drainage, and livestock committees."Klamath Men Chairmen of Committees", Klamath News, Klamath Fall, Oregon, January 5, 1933, p. 6. During this term, Semon also served in two special sessions, one in early January 1933 and one in November and December of that year."1933 Special Sessions (37th): First Special Session, January 3–7; Second Special Session, November 20 – December 9", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
In 1934, Semon filed for re-election to House of Representatives as Democrat. "Henry Semon Enters Name in Primaries", Evening Herald, Klamath Fall, Oregon, March 26, 1934, p. 1. Semon and Harry D. Boivin are unopposed in the Democratic primary for the two District 32 House seat nominations while Walter C. Von Enon and C. R. William won the two Republican nominations."Crowd Hears Candidates in Final Appeal", Evening Herald, Klamath Fall, Oregon, May 17, 1934, p. 6."36 new Faces", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, May 21, 1934, p. 8. In the general election, Semon and Boivin easily won the two District 32 seats."Gillenwaters Dropping Behind; Boivin and Semon Win for House", Klamath News, Klamath Fall, Oregon, November 7, 1934, p. 1. During the regular legislative session that began on January 14, 1935, Semon was appointed chairman of the powerful ways and means committee. He also served on the administration and reorganization, irrigation and drainage, education, and assessment and taxation committees."1935 Regular Session (38th): January 14 – March 13", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon. Retrieved May 13, 2017."Henry Semon on Leading Legislative Committees; Boivin Gains Selection", Evening Herald, Klamath Fall, Oregon, January 15, 1935, p. 1."Henry Semon Heads Ways and Means", Evening Herald, Klamath Fall, Oregon, January 16, 1935, p. 3.
After the legislative session ended, Governor Charles Martin appointed Semon to state agriculture board. Because the position was an unpaid advisory position, Semon was advised that it did not conflict with his legislative responsibilities. However, Oregon Attorney General Isaac H. Van Winkle ruled that state legislators automatically forfeited their legislative seats when they accepted any state or federal position. Because of the ruling, Semons and five other legislators (all Democrats) lost their seats including the serving Speaker of the House of Representatives, John E. Cooter. After the ruling was announced, the Klamath County commissioners court was responsible for appointing a successor to fill Semon's vacant House seat."Henry Semon Gets Agriculture Appointment", Evening Herald, Klamath Fall, Oregon, April 3, 1935, p. 1."Legislators Ruled Out of Double Jobs", Bend Bulletin, Bend, Oregon, May 7, 1935, p. 1."Reinstate Henry Semon", Evening Herald, Klamath Fall, Oregon, May 8, 1935, p. 4. After Semon resigned from the state agriculture board, Klamath County commissioners unanimously reappointed him to the District 32 representative position he lost due to the Attorney General's ruling."Court Names Henry Semon", Evening Herald, Klamath Fall, Oregon, May 15, 1935, p. 4."Semon Reappointed", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, May 16, 1935, p. 1. A subsequent attorney general opinion ruled that Semon's reappointment to the legislature did not automatically restore him as chairman of way and mean committee. The same opinion also disqualified him from continuing to serve on the powerful State Emergency Board, which acts on behalf of the legislature when that body is out of session."Cooter and Semon Not Members of Board, Opinion Reads", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, May 25, 1935, p. 1.
In October 1935, the governor called a special session of the legislature. Because the elected speaker had accepting a federal appointment, he lost his position in the legislature, leaving the speakers position vacant when the special session began. As the special session got underway, Semon was a serious contender for speaker."Henry Semon Certain of Election to be Speaker", LaGrande Observer, LaGrande, Oregon, October 16, 1935, p. 1. "Henry Semon Certain of Election to Speakership as Outcome of deadlock", Klamath News, Klamath Fall, Oregon, October 17, 1935, p. 1."Speakership Battle Narrows Down to Latourette, Semon", Albany Democrat-Herald, Albany, Oregon, October 17, 1935, p. 1. However, he lost the speaker position to Howard Latourette by one vote."Semon Beaten for Speaker!", Evening Herald, Klamath Fall, Oregon, October 21, 1935, p. 1."1935 Special Session (38th): October 21 – November 9", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
Semon filed for re-election to the House in 1936. Semon and Boivin were assured of re-election because no other Democrats or any Republicans filed for the two District 32 seats. The two incumbents won the Democratic primary unopposed and the republican primary with write-in votes. Semon won the Republican primary 179 write-in votes."At Least 23 New Legislators Due", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, April 7, 1936, p. 10."Three Candidates Win Nominations of Both Parties", Klamath News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, May 17, 1936, p. 1."Democrats to Control House and Republicans Senate Next Session", Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, November 5, 1936, p. 4. During the 1937 regular session, Boivin was elected Speaker of the House. He appointed Semon as chairman of the ways and means committee. Semon was also appointed to the agriculture, irrigation and drainage, and engrossed and enrolled bills committees."House creates 2 Committee", Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon, January 12, 1937, p. 2."1937 Regular Session (39th): January 11 – March 8", Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon State Archives, Salem, Oregon. Retrieved May 13, 2017. After the session ended, Boivin appointed Semon to chair an interim committee charged with rewriting the state's agriculture laws."Today’s News Digest", Klamath News, Klamath Falls, Oregon, April 18, 1937, p. 1. Semon also served on State Emergency Board for the remainder of the biennium."Martin Call Session of Legislative Emergency Board for Monday", Evening Herald, Klamath Fall, Oregon, June 5, 1937, p. 1.