Herschel Loveless (1957-1961) had been a railroad engineer and parking meter salesman -- as well as mayor of Radar O'Reilly's hometown -- before becoming governor.
Robert Blue (1945-49) had been an undertaker's assistant, grocery store clerk and railroad construction worker.
William Beardsley (1949-54) was the only governor to die in office. He drove his car into a stopped truck.
I crib these nuggets from the Des Moines Register, which in turn found them out as a result of an exhibit on all the state's governors that opened last week at the State Historical Museum (which has a good gift shop, as I recall).
Photo via Flickr, from melora anne
