Mike Mansfield remains one of the treasures of Montana’s political landscape.  Born in New York City on March 16, 1903, his life is filled with adventures and accomplishments beyond most people’s dreams.

Mansfield is well-known for his years spent in the U.S. House of Representatives (1942-1953) and the U.S. Senate (1952-1977).  He serves as Senate Majority Leader from 1961 until his retirement from the Senate.  He spends most of his final years serving the United States as ambassador to Japan (1977-1988).

various photos of senator mansfield.   of special note in row 1 is photo with President john f. kennedy as well as in row 2 with time magazine cover.  (photos courtesy of Pinterest)

However, it is the backstory to his years of public service that characterizes the man and his defining reputation.

In 1910, fate intervenes with the health and well-being of Mansfield’s parents.  His father, Patrick, is injured and recovering from a construction accident.  His mother, Josephine, suddenly dies.  Mansfield and his sisters (Katie and Helen) need someone to care for them.  The children’s great aunt from Great Falls comes to New York City and brings them back to the Treasure State.

As a teen, Mansfield figures out that he is control of his destiny.  Many times he runs away from home.  He is always looking for adventure.  With World War I raging in Europe, newspaper accounts wet Mansfield’s appetite to make it to the continent and the war.

By the age of 14, Mansfield finds his way to the West Coast by riding the rails.  He lies about his age (with the help of a falsified birth certificate) and enlists in the Navy.  As the war is entering its final year, he serves on Atlantic Ocean convoy duty for 10 months.

Following the war, Mansfield enlists in the Army and serves for one year.  Next, he joins the Marines and serves two years.  He embraces an opportunity to travel to China.  Experiencing Asian culture for the first time will further open doors for him in the coming years.

Leaving the military in 1922, Mansfield returns to Montana and discovers there are few job prospects for a young man with only an elementary education.  He sets himself up in Butte, home to the “Richest Hill on Earth.”  Here copper mining is king, and he finds work as a mucker.  Working about a half mile underground, he shovels rock and ore. 

Working in the mines at night, Mansfield begins attending classes during the daytime at the Montana School of Mines.  A young school teacher, Maureen Hayes, becomes his mentor and encourages him to finish his education.

Moving to Missoula, Mansfield attends the University of Montana where he attends classes to complete both his high school diploma and college degree.  Hayes continues to teach in Butte until she and Mansfield are married in 1932.  Together, they become lifelong partners.

left to right:  statue of mike and maureen mansfield in the rotunda of montana’s state capitol, remaining photos with maureen and Ann (their daughter).  (photos courtesy of Pinterest)

“Since we first met in 1928, my wife has been the greatest influence in my life, bar none.”

Mansfield graduates from the University of Montana in 1933 with both his high school and college education completed.  He continues with his university studies and completes a master’s degree in 1934.  He remains in Missoula to teach Latin American and Far Eastern history at the university.  During 1942 he is encouraged again by Maureen, his most enthusiastic supporter, to run for Congress.