George Theodore Mickelson

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
The Honorable
George Theodore Mickelson
George T. Mickelson.jpg
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
In office
February 10, 1954 – February 28, 1965
Appointed by Dwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded by new seat
Succeeded by Fred Joseph Nichol
18th Governor of South Dakota
In office
January 7, 1947 – January 2, 1951
Lieutenant Sioux K. Grigsby
Rex A. Terry
Preceded by Merrill Q. Sharpe
Succeeded by Sigurd Anderson
Attorney General of South Dakota
In office
1943–1947
Preceded by Leo A. Temmey
Succeeded by Sigurd Anderson
Personal details
Born (1903-07-23)July 23, 1903
Selby, South Dakota, U.S.
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Resting place Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Madge Turner
Children George S. Mickelson (son)
Mark Mickelson (grandson)
Alma mater Dakota Wesleyan University
University of South Dakota School of Law (LL.B.)

George Theodore Mickelson (July 23, 1903 – February 28, 1965) was the 18th Governor of South Dakota, and later a United States federal judge.

Early life and education

George T. Mickelson was born near Selby in Walworth County, South Dakota. His father was a Norwegian immigrant.[1] Mickelson was the first Governor of South Dakota born in the twentieth century. Mickelson attended Dakota Wesleyan University and then received an LL.B. from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1927.[2] That year he returned to Selby to practice law. He married Madge Turner[3] and they had four children.

Career

Prior to serving as governor, Mickelson, a Republican, served as states attorney for Walworth County, South Dakota from 1933 to 1936. He served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1937–1943 and was Speaker of the House in his last term. He then served as South Dakota Attorney General from 1943 to 1947. He became Governor of South Dakota in 1947, and served until 1951.

Mickelson ran as favorite-son candidate in 1952 South Dakota presidential primary, supporting a national bid of Dwight D. Eisenhower, and lost narrowly to Eisenhower chief rival, Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio.[4]

On December 9, 1953, Mickelson received a recess appointment from President Eisenhower to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota vacated by Alfred Lee Wyman. Formally nominated on January 11, 1954, Mickelson was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 9, 1954, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge of the court from 1954 until his death in 1965.[5]

Mickelson's son, George S. Mickelson, served as Governor of South Dakota from 1987 to 1993. They are the only father and son pair to hold that office in the history of South Dakota.[6]

Death

Mickelson died February 28, 1965, and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota USA.[7]

References

  1. 1910 Census, Walworth County, South Dakota
  2. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. Our Campaign
  5. South Dakota Governor George Theodore Mickelson (National Governor's Association)
  6. Biographical Directory of the South Dakota Legislature, 1889-1989, p. 750.
  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links


Political offices
Preceded by Governor of South Dakota
1947–1951
Succeeded by
Sigurd Anderson
Legal offices
Preceded by Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota
February 10, 1954–February 28, 1965
Succeeded by
Fred Joseph Nichol