John Melcher

A Representative and a Senator from Montana. Born in Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa, September 6, 1924. Attended the University of Minnesota. Served in the United States Army 1943-1945. Graduated with a degree in veterinary medicine, Iowa State University 1950. Moved to Forsyth, Mont. , and established a veterinary clinic. Alderman in Forsyth, Mont. , 1953. Elected mayor of Forsyth 1955, reelected in 1957 and 1959. Elected State representative for Rosebud County, Mont. , 1960. Elected State senator 1962, served in the 1963 and 1965 sessions. Again served in 1969 as a State representative. Elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-first Congress, by special election, June 24, 1969, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James F. Battin. Reelected to the three succeeding Congresses and served from June 24, 1969, to January 3, 1977. Was not a candidate for reelection to the House of Representatives, but was elected to the United States Senate in 1976. Reelected in 1982 and served from January 3, 1977, until January 3, 1989. Unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1988. Established a legal consulting firm. Chairman, Select Committee on Indian Affairs (Ninety-sixth Congress), Special Committee on Aging (One Hundredth Congress). Was a resident of Missoula, Mont. , until his death on April 12, 2018.