Learn more about Concordia by following the links below:

Frank Carlson Library

Address: 702 Broadway
Concordia, KS 66901
Telephone Number: 785.243.2250

About this Exploration:



Frank Carlson served in the Kansas Legislature, as State Representative in the US House of Representatives, Governor, and Senator from Kansas, one of the only men to hold all four offices.
 
He was born in Concordia, Kansas, January 23, 1893.  He attended public schools and Kansas State University at Manhattan. During World War I he served as a private in the United States Army 1918-1919.  After the war he returned to Concordia to farm. 

He was a member of the state house of representatives 1929-1933 and chairman of the Republican State committee 1932-1934.  He served as a Republican to the seventy fourth and to the five succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1935-January 3, 1947).   In 1946 he was elected Governor of Kansas.  In 1950 he was elected as state senator and served in that capacity until 1969. 

In 1952 he campaigned for fellow Kansan Dwight D. Eisenhower who became president.  According to Billy Graham's biography, Senator Carlson organized the first Presidential Prayer Breakfast, later known as the National Prayer Breakfast.  Carlson died in Concordia, May 30, 1987.  His interment was at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.