W. Kerr Scott

William Kerr Scott (born 17 April 1896 Haw River, North Carolina - died 16 April 1958 Burlington, North Carolina) was a Democratic Party politician from North Carolina. He was the Governor of North Carolina from 1949 until 1953, and a United States Senator from 1954 until 1958. A native of Alamance County, North Carolina and a farmer by training, Scott was a lifelong advocate for agricultural issues and became known in his home state as "the Squire of Haw River". He was elected as the state's Commissioner of Agriculture, but resigned that post to run for governor in 1948. His followers, popularly known as "Branchhead Boys," fervently supported Scott in all his campaigns and remained a force in North Carolina politics for more than a decade following his death. He created the "Go Forward" program with approval from the state legislature in 1949. Immediately following his term as governor, Scott represented North Carolina in the United States Senate from 1954 and 1958. His son, Bob Scott served as Governor from 1969 to 1973, and his granddaughter, Meg Scott Phipps served as North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture from 2001 to 2003.

The W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir in Wilkes County, NC are named in honor of the former Governor and U.S. Senator. While Senator, he greatly assisted in obtaining approval for construction of the dam and reservoir.

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