Phil M. Donnelly, the only man ever to serve two full terms as Governor of Missouri, was elected to a four-year term in 1944 and again in 1952.
Born in Lebanon, Mo., on March 6, 1891, he attended the Lebanon public schools. In 1913 he received an LL.B. degree from St. Louis University. Honorary LL.D. degrees were conferred upon him by St. Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, Culver-Stockon College in Canton, Mo., Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., and the University of Missouri. He was elected an honorary member of the Order of the Coif 1953, and received the Honor Award for Distinguished Service in Law from the University of Missouri in 1959.
Donnelly practiced law in Lebanon, served several terms as city attorney of Lebanon, and one as prosecuting attorney of Laclede County. Elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1922, he was elected to the State Senate in 1924 and re-elected in 1928, 1932, 1936, and 1940. He was twice president pro tem, and twice Democratic floor leader of the Senate.
He died Sept. 12, 1961.

Forrest Smith was born in Ray County, Mo., Feb. 14, 1886, and attended public schools in that county. He attended Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., and Woodson Institute at Richmond, Mo., where he made his home for many years. He later taught in the Ray County public schools.
The honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him by the University of Missouri in December, 1960, at a special convocation honoring seven living governors of Missouri.
Forrest Smith held several elective offices in Ray County. He was a member of the State Tax Commission from 1925 to 1932. Elected State Auditor in 1932, he was re-elected in 1936, 1940, and 1944, the only person until then ever elected to a fourth term for a Missouri office. He was elected Governor in 1948.
A national authority on taxation and an early advocate of the sales tax for Missouri, he was often referred to as the "father" of the Sales Tax Act.
He died March 8, 1962

James T. Blair, Jr., son of a former Missouri Supreme Court Judge, was born in Maysville, Mo., March 15, 1902. He attended public schools in Jefferson City, Staunton (Va.) Military Academy, Southwest Missouri State College at Springfield, the University of Missouri, and Cumberland University. He received his A.B. degree here in 1921, his LL.B. degree from Cumberland, and the honorary LL.D. degree from the University in 1960.
Gov. Blair practiced law in Jefferson City, served tow terms as city attorney, and two terms in the Missouri House of Representatives (1928 and 1930). In the 1931 session he was the youngest man ever elected majority floor leader of the House.
He served eight years on the Jefferson City Board of Education, and was elected mayor of that city in 1947 but resigned when elected Lieutenant Governor.
Elected Governor of Missouri in 1956, Blair staunchly advocated increased support for higher education.
During World War II he served three years in the European Theater with the U. S. Air Force, receiving the Air Medal, the Bronze Star with eleven battle stars, the Legion of Merit, and a Presidential Unit Citation. He was a colonel in the U. S. Air Force Reserves.
At the time of his tragic death, July 12, 1962, he was being urged to run for governor for a second term.