George Theodore Mickelson

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George Theodore Mickelson (born July 23, 1903 in Selby , Walworth County , South Dakota , † February 28, 1965 in Sioux Falls , South Dakota) was an American lawyer and politician of the Republican Party and from 1947 to 1951 the 18th  governor the state of South Dakota; then he became a federal judge in the federal district court for the district of South Dakota.

Early years

George Mickelson attended public schools in his hometown of Selby. He then studied law at the University of South Dakota . After his exams and admission as a lawyer, he first worked with a partner and later independently in this profession. Between 1933 and 1936 Mickelson was a prosecutor in Walworth County. He was then elected to the South Dakota House of Representatives, where he remained until 1941. Between 1943 and 1947 he was Attorney General of his state. In 1946 he was elected the new governor of South Dakota, with 67.2 percent of the vote clearly against the Democrat Richard Haeder.

South Dakota Governor

George Mickelson took up his new office on January 7, 1947. After re-election in 1948, he was able to exercise it until January 2, 1951. During this time he continued to work on reducing the national debt and campaigned for environmental protection. At the same time, the road network in South Dakota was further expanded and the construction of the dams on the Missouri River already initiated by its predecessor was tackled. In addition, the governor made sure that World War II veterans enjoyed discounts. In 1948 and 1949, the state suffered from severe winter storms. Many roads were impassable for weeks. The governor had to use the National Guard to clear snow.

Federal judge

Mickelson renounced a third candidacy in 1950 and resigned from the office of governor in January 1951. He supported Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1952 presidential election . This appointed him after his election as a judge at the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota , where he took the position of Chief Judge . He held this office until his death in 1965, after which his seat fell to Fred Joseph Nichol . Axel John Beck took over the chairmanship of the court . George Mickelson was married to Madge Turner, with whom he had four children. His son George was also to become governor of South Dakota from 1987 to 1993.

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personal data
SURNAME Mickelson, George Theodore
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American lawyer and politician
DATE OF BIRTH July 23, 1903
PLACE OF BIRTH Selby , South Dakota
DATE OF DEATH February 28, 1965
Place of death Sioux Falls , South Dakota