William P. Elmer

He served as member of the State house of representatives in 1903, 1904, 1921, 1922, and 1929–1933, including the position of temporary speaker and floor leader in 1929.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for United States Senator in 1946.

He wrote a popular series in the Salem News on "History of Dent County."

He said that “nearly every nation of Europe has chased out the Jews” and concluded that "there must have been compelling reasons for their actions.

He was interred in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Salem, Missouri.