John Swainson
Encyclopedia
John Burley Swainson was a politician from the US state of Michigan
, as well as the 42nd Governor of Michigan
.
Swainson was born in Windsor, Ontario
, Canada and moved to Port Huron, Michigan
at the age of two with his family. His father, John A. C. Swainson, of Port Huron was Democratic Presidential Elector
for Michigan in 1964 and an alternate delegate
to Democratic National Convention
from Michigan in 1972 http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/suvacki-swampfox.html#RR818TQRZ.
Swainson served in the United States Army
during World War II with the 95th Infantry Division and lost both legs in a land mine explosion November 15, 1944, near Metz
, Alsace-Lorraine
. He was awarded France's Croix de Guerre
, the Presidential Unit Citation
with two battle stars, and the Purple Heart
, all before his nineteenth birthday. After months of convalescence and rehabilitation at the Percy Jones Army Hospital
in Battle Creek
, Swainson learned to walk upright and unassisted.
Swainson received a B.A. from Olivet College
, where he also met and married his wife, Alice Nielson. She accompanied him to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
, where he received a law degree in 1951. While there, he was elected student president of the law school.
was elected to the United States Senate
, Swainson succeeded Hart as Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
under Governor G. Mennen Williams
. When the long-serving and popular Williams announced he would not seek reelection in 1960, Swainson decided to enter the race, despite the advice of influential Democratic Party members, including Williams, not to run in deference to three-term Michigan Secretary of State
James Hare
. Swainson won the primary against the party favorite, largely due to strong support from labor unions.
On November 8, 1960, Swainson defeated Republican Paul D. Bagwell, a Michigan State University
professor in the general election. As a result, the 35 year-old Swainson became the youngest Governor of Michigan in the 20th century. (The "Boy Governor", Stevens T. Mason
, elected at age 24 in 1835, is the youngest.) His Lieutenant Governor
was T. John Lesinski
. His primary opponent, James Hare, continued to serve as Michigan Secretary of State
until 1971.
During his two years in office, a tax was secured on the usage of telegraphs, telephones, and leased wires, court procedures and medical care for the elderly were improved, legislative pensions were excluded from both local and state taxes, and taxes on liquor, beer and cigarettes were raised to fund educational programs.
In 1962, Swainson was defeated by Republican George W. Romney
, the chairman of the American Motors Corporation and who had never before held elected office. The win was attributed in part to Romney's appeal to independent voters, as well as to the increasing influence of suburban Detroit voters, who by 1962 were more likely to vote Republican than the heavily Democratic city.
, Detroit mayor Jerome Cavanagh
, and approximately 125,000 people on a "Walk for Freedom" march down Detroit's Woodward Avenue. That year he was also a member of Democratic National Committee
from Michigan.
He served as Michigan Circuit Court judge of the 3rd Circuit from 1965 to 1971, and as a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
from 1971 to 1975. In 1975 he was accused of accepting a bribe and found not guilty, but was convicted of perjury over his testimony to the grand jury. As a result, he was forced to leave the Supreme Court, sentenced to 60 days in a minimum-security facility, and temporarily lost his license to practice law.
He later became an antiques dealer and became president of the Michigan Historical Commission. In these later years, he often represented the state at the Detroit Highland Games, apologizing for not wearing a kilt because "I don't have the legs for it."
and is interred there at Oakhill Cemetery. His wife Alice died September 5, 2004 in Manchester at the age of 77. During his life he was a member of American Legion
, AMVETS
, Disabled American Veterans
, Veterans of Foreign Wars
, Elks
, Lions International
, and Delta Theta Phi
.
The Michigan Historical Commission established the Governor John B. Swainson Award in 1996 to honor him for his love of history and as one of the few public officials to have served in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of state government. The commission presents the award to state, county or municipal employees who have contributed to the preservation of Michigan history even though such activities are not part of their primary job responsibility. http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17447_18630_22802-61854--,00.html
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, as well as the 42nd Governor of Michigan
Governor of Michigan
The Governor of Michigan is the chief executive of the U.S. State of Michigan. The current Governor is Rick Snyder, a member of the Republican Party.-Gubernatorial elections and term of office:...
.
Swainson was born in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, Canada and moved to Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administratively autonomous. It is joined by the Blue Water Bridge over the St. Clair River to Sarnia,...
at the age of two with his family. His father, John A. C. Swainson, of Port Huron was Democratic Presidential Elector
United States Electoral College
The Electoral College consists of the electors appointed by each state who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. Since 1964, there have been 538 electors in each presidential election...
for Michigan in 1964 and an alternate delegate
Delegate
A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization at a meeting or conference between organizations of the same level A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization (e.g., a government, a charity, an NGO, or a trade union) at a meeting or conference...
to Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
from Michigan in 1972 http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/suvacki-swampfox.html#RR818TQRZ.
Swainson served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II with the 95th Infantry Division and lost both legs in a land mine explosion November 15, 1944, near Metz
Metz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
, Alsace-Lorraine
Alsace-Lorraine
The Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine was a territory created by the German Empire in 1871 after it annexed most of Alsace and the Moselle region of Lorraine following its victory in the Franco-Prussian War. The Alsatian part lay in the Rhine Valley on the west bank of the Rhine River and east...
. He was awarded France's Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
, the Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation (US)
The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941...
with two battle stars, and the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, all before his nineteenth birthday. After months of convalescence and rehabilitation at the Percy Jones Army Hospital
Percy Jones Army Hospital
The Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan, formerly the Battle Creek Sanitarium, was purchased by the United States Army in 1942 and converted into a 1,500-bed military hospital for treating soldiers wounded in World War II....
in Battle Creek
Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek Rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area , which encompasses all of Calhoun county...
, Swainson learned to walk upright and unassisted.
Swainson received a B.A. from Olivet College
Olivet College
Olivet College is a coeducational, liberal arts college located in Olivet, Michigan, United States, south of Lansing and west of Detroit. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, and accredited by the North Central...
, where he also met and married his wife, Alice Nielson. She accompanied him to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
, where he received a law degree in 1951. While there, he was elected student president of the law school.
Politics
Swainson was elected to the Michigan State Senate from the 18th District in 1954 and was reelected in 1958. In 1958, when Philip HartPhilip Hart
Philip Aloysius Hart was a Democratic United States Senator from Michigan from 1959 until 1976. He was nicknamed the Conscience of the Senate.-Early years:...
was elected to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, Swainson succeeded Hart as Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
The Lieutenant Governor of Michigan is the second-ranking official in U.S. state of Michigan, behind the governor, and one of four great offices of state...
under Governor G. Mennen Williams
G. Mennen Williams
Gerhard Mennen "Soapy" Williams, , was a politician from the US state of Michigan. An heir to a personal grooming products fortune, he was known as "Soapy," and wore a trademark green bow tie with white polka dots....
. When the long-serving and popular Williams announced he would not seek reelection in 1960, Swainson decided to enter the race, despite the advice of influential Democratic Party members, including Williams, not to run in deference to three-term Michigan Secretary of State
Michigan Secretary of State
The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
James Hare
James Hare
James Hare may refer to:* James Butler Hare , U.S. Congressman from South Carolina* James M. Hare , Michigan Secretary of State* Jimmy Hare , photographer for Colliers...
. Swainson won the primary against the party favorite, largely due to strong support from labor unions.
On November 8, 1960, Swainson defeated Republican Paul D. Bagwell, a Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
professor in the general election. As a result, the 35 year-old Swainson became the youngest Governor of Michigan in the 20th century. (The "Boy Governor", Stevens T. Mason
Stevens T. Mason
Stevens Thomson Mason , also known as Stevens T. Mason, Tom Mason, The Boy Governor, and lesser known nicknames Young Hotspur and The Stripling, was the territorial governor of the Michigan Territory, and later the first Governor of the state of Michigan. Mason guided the Michigan Territory into...
, elected at age 24 in 1835, is the youngest.) His Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
The Lieutenant Governor of Michigan is the second-ranking official in U.S. state of Michigan, behind the governor, and one of four great offices of state...
was T. John Lesinski
T. John Lesinski
Thaddeus John "T. John" Lesinski, , was politician and judge from the U.S. state of Michigan.-Biography:Lesinski was born in Detroit, Michigan and lived in Detroit and Grosse Pointe Shores...
. His primary opponent, James Hare, continued to serve as Michigan Secretary of State
Michigan Secretary of State
The Secretary of State is the third-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. As the name implies, the officeholder was originally responsible for much of state government, but now the duties are similar to those of the other 47 secretaries of states...
until 1971.
During his two years in office, a tax was secured on the usage of telegraphs, telephones, and leased wires, court procedures and medical care for the elderly were improved, legislative pensions were excluded from both local and state taxes, and taxes on liquor, beer and cigarettes were raised to fund educational programs.
In 1962, Swainson was defeated by Republican George W. Romney
George W. Romney
George Wilcken Romney was an American businessman and Republican Party politician. He was chairman and CEO of American Motors Corporation from 1954 to 1962, the 43rd Governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969, and the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1969 to 1973...
, the chairman of the American Motors Corporation and who had never before held elected office. The win was attributed in part to Romney's appeal to independent voters, as well as to the increasing influence of suburban Detroit voters, who by 1962 were more likely to vote Republican than the heavily Democratic city.
Post gubernatorial years
On June 23, 1963, Swainson accompanied the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
, Detroit mayor Jerome Cavanagh
Jerome Cavanagh
Jerome Patrick Cavanagh was the mayor of Detroit, Michigan from 1962 to 1970. Initially seen as another John F. Kennedy, his reputation was doomed by the 1967 riots. He was the first mayor to inhabit the Manoogian Mansion, donated to the city by the industrial baron Alex Manoogian.-Early...
, and approximately 125,000 people on a "Walk for Freedom" march down Detroit's Woodward Avenue. That year he was also a member of Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
from Michigan.
He served as Michigan Circuit Court judge of the 3rd Circuit from 1965 to 1971, and as a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is known as Michigan's "court of last resort" and consists of seven justices who are elected to eight-year terms. Candidates are nominated by political parties and are elected on a nonpartisan ballot...
from 1971 to 1975. In 1975 he was accused of accepting a bribe and found not guilty, but was convicted of perjury over his testimony to the grand jury. As a result, he was forced to leave the Supreme Court, sentenced to 60 days in a minimum-security facility, and temporarily lost his license to practice law.
He later became an antiques dealer and became president of the Michigan Historical Commission. In these later years, he often represented the state at the Detroit Highland Games, apologizing for not wearing a kilt because "I don't have the legs for it."
Death and legacy
Swainson died of a heart attack in Manchester, MichiganManchester, Michigan
Manchester is a village in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,160 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Manchester Township.-Chicago Road:...
and is interred there at Oakhill Cemetery. His wife Alice died September 5, 2004 in Manchester at the age of 77. During his life he was a member of American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
, AMVETS
AMVETS
AMVETS or American Veterans is a volunteer-led organization formed by World War II veterans which accepts honorably discharged veterans as members....
, Disabled American Veterans
Disabled American Veterans
The Disabled American Veterans, or DAV, is an organization for disabled veterans that helps them and their families through various means. It currently has over 1.2 million members...
, Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a congressionally chartered war veterans organization in the United States. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, VFW currently has 1.5 million members belonging to 7,644 posts, and is the largest American organization of combat...
, Elks
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
, Lions International
Lions Clubs International
Lions Clubs International is a secular service organization with over 44,500 clubs and more than 1,368,683 members in 191 countries around the world founded by Melvin Jones Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States, the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and...
, and Delta Theta Phi
Delta Theta Phi
Delta Theta Phi is a professional law fraternity and a member of the Professional Fraternity Association. The smallest of the three internationally recognized law fraternities , Delta Theta Phi is the only one of the three major law fraternities to charter chapters in the United States at...
.
The Michigan Historical Commission established the Governor John B. Swainson Award in 1996 to honor him for his love of history and as one of the few public officials to have served in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of state government. The commission presents the award to state, county or municipal employees who have contributed to the preservation of Michigan history even though such activities are not part of their primary job responsibility. http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17447_18630_22802-61854--,00.html