Kimber Cornellus Sigler, also known as Kim Sigler (formerly known as Zeigler; born May 2, 1894; died November 30, 1953), was an American attorney and politician. He was the 40th governor of Michigan, serving from 1947 to 1949. Sigler is still the last Republican governor of Michigan to lose a reelection election. He lost to Governor G. Mennen Williams in 1948.
Early life
Sigler was born Kimber Cornellus Zeigler in Schuyler, Nebraska. His parents were Bertha and David Zeigler. His family changed their last name to Sigler during World War I. He studied at the University of Michigan and later at the University of Detroit Mercy. In 1918, he earned a law degree. Sigler had a successful career as a lawyer in several law firms in Detroit, Hastings, and Battle Creek, Michigan. He also worked as a special prosecutor in an investigation into corruption in the state legislature. He married Mae L. Pierson, and they had one child.
Politics
In 1928, Sigler ran as the Democratic candidate for Michigan Attorney General but lost to Republican Wilber Marion Brucker, who later became Governor of Michigan in 1930. Sigler later joined the Republican Party. In 1942, he ran in the Republican primary for a state senate seat in the 8th District. He was also a member of Rotary International.
On November 5, 1946, Sigler, who was called Hollywood Kim, was elected Governor of Michigan. He defeated former governor Murray Van Wagoner in the general election. During his two years as governor, state agencies were reorganized, and the Department of Administration was created. In 1947, he earned his Private Pilot License.
In 1948, Sigler attended the Republican National Convention as a delegate. At the convention, Thomas Dewey was re-nominated as the Republican candidate for U.S. President to run against President Harry S Truman. Dewey was not successful, as he had previously lost to Franklin Roosevelt in 1944. Although Dewey won Michigan’s vote, Sigler lost his re-election bid for governor to Democrat Soapy Williams. After this loss, Sigler left office on January 1, 1949, and stopped participating in politics.
Retirement and death
About five years after he left office at the age of fifty-nine, Sigler and three other people were killed when the plane he was flying crashed into a television broadcast tower (WBCK-TV) near Augusta, Michigan, during a foggy night. He was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Hastings, Michigan.
A portrait of Governor Sigler, painted by John Coppin, is displayed in the rotunda of the Michigan State Capitol.
Historical marker
A marker that shows Sigler's home in Hastings as a Michigan Historic Site was placed in 1987 by the Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. The marker includes an inscription.