Dayton Wendell Countryman (March 31, 1918 – September 13, 2011) was an American attorney, farmer, and politician who served as the 26th Attorney General of Iowa from 1955 to 1957.

Dayton Countryman
26th Attorney General of Iowa
In office
1955–1957
GovernorLeo Hoegh
Preceded byLeo Hoegh
Succeeded byNorman A. Erbe
Personal details
Born
Dayton Wendell Countryman

March 31, 1918
Sioux City, Iowa, U.S.
DiedSeptember 13, 2011 (aged 93)
Ames, Iowa, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationIowa State University (BS)
University of Iowa (LLB)
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Battles/warsWorld War II

Early life and education

edit

Born in Sioux City, Iowa, Countryman attended Pierson High School. He then received his bachelor's degree in forestry from Iowa State University in 1940. During World War II, Countryman served in the United States Army Air Forces as a pilot and was commissioned lieutenant colonel. He then graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1948 and was admitted to the Iowa bar.

Career

edit

Countryman practiced law in Nevada, Iowa. From 1950 to 1954, Countryman served as attorney for Story County, Iowa as a member of the Republican party. From 1955 to 1957, Countryman served as Attorney General of Iowa. In 1956, 1960, and 1968, Countryman unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for United States Senate. He continued to practice law in Nevada, Iowa and also managed his farms.

Death

edit

Countryman died in Ames, Iowa from complications of Alzheimer's disease.[1][2]

Notes

edit
  1. ^ Dayton Countryman-obituary
  2. ^ 'Dayton Countryman-obituary,' Sioux City Journal, September 16, 2011
edit
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Attorney General of Iowa
1954
Succeeded by