Harry Kelly (politician)
Encyclopedia
Harry Francis Kelly was an American politician. He served as the 39th Governor
of Michigan
from 1943 to 1947.
, the son of lawyer Henry M. Kelly and Mary E. (Morrissey) Kelly. He spent a year assisting his father in his law office before enrolling at Notre Dame University, where he received an LL.B.
degree in 1917. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I, was wounded and lost his right leg in the Battle of Chateau-Thierry
, where he also earned the Croix de guerre
with palm leaves. Upon his return to the United States, Kelly joined the American Liberty bond
drive.
After the war, Kelly established a career in public service. He served as the state's attorney for LaSalle County, Illinois from 1920 to 1924. During that time, his father moved to Detroit to represent General Motors
in Michigan. Harry followed when his term as state's attorney ended, joining his father and younger brother Emmett to form the law firm of Kelly, Kelly, and Kelly.
In 1929, Kelly married Anne V. O'Brien and they had six children together. The following year, he became the assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County, Michigan
, where he served until 1934.
to head the Detroit area Liquor Control Commission. Fitzgerald later asked him to run for Michigan Secretary of State
, and Kelly was elected, serving from 1939–43. When Fitzgerald died suddenly and Lieutenant Governor Luren Dickinson
took the Governorship, Dickenson turned to Kelly for assistance, and for approximately two years Harry acted as chief counsel and confidante to Governor Dickinson.
In 1942, the Republican party turned to Kelly as a candidate for governor, and on November 3, 1942, he defeated Democratic
Governor Murray Van Wagoner
in the general election to become Governor of Michigan
. In 1944, while governor, he served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention
which nominated Thomas E. Dewey for U.S. President. He was elected to a second two-year term in 1946, and during his four years in office, the state government was reorganized and a grand jury was convened to examine misappropriations in the legislature. The War Governor, as he was nicknamed, declined to run for re-election in 1946.
After serving out his second term, Kelly returned to private practice until, in 1950, the Republican party again asked him to run for governor. He lost a close race to Governor G. Mennen Williams
by only 1154 votes.
In 1954, he was nominated by the Republican party to a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court
. He was elected, and served from 1954–71.
was an American actor best known for his role as the father on the television series Flipper
. Earlier, Brian Kelly costarred with John Ashley
as the co-owner of the "Straightaway Garage" on ABC
's Straightaway
, which focuses on auto racing
.
. He is interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery of Southfield, 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:...
of Michigan
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"....
from 1943 to 1947.
Early life
Kelly was born in Ottawa, IllinoisOttawa, Illinois
Ottawa is a city located at the confluence of the Illinois River and Fox River in LaSalle County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 18,786...
, the son of lawyer Henry M. Kelly and Mary E. (Morrissey) Kelly. He spent a year assisting his father in his law office before enrolling at Notre Dame University, where he received an LL.B.
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
degree in 1917. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I, was wounded and lost his right leg in the Battle of Chateau-Thierry
Battle of Château-Thierry (1918)
The Battle of Château-Thierry was fought on 18 July 1918 and was one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing...
, where he also earned the 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...
with palm leaves. Upon his return to the United States, Kelly joined the American Liberty bond
Liberty bond
A Liberty Bond was a war bond that was sold in the United States to support the allied cause in World War I. Subscribing to the bonds became a symbol of patriotic duty in the United States and introduced the idea of financial securities to many citizens for the first time. The Act of Congress which...
drive.
After the war, Kelly established a career in public service. He served as the state's attorney for LaSalle County, Illinois from 1920 to 1924. During that time, his father moved to Detroit to represent General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
in Michigan. Harry followed when his term as state's attorney ended, joining his father and younger brother Emmett to form the law firm of Kelly, Kelly, and Kelly.
In 1929, Kelly married Anne V. O'Brien and they had six children together. The following year, he became the assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County, Michigan
Wayne County, Michigan
-History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern...
, where he served until 1934.
Politics
Kelly was selected by Governor Frank FitzgeraldFrank Fitzgerald
Frank Dwight Fitzgerald was an American politician. He was elected as the 34th and 36th Governor of Michigan and was the only Michigan governor to die in office.-Early life:...
to head the Detroit area Liquor Control Commission. Fitzgerald later asked him to run for 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...
, and Kelly was elected, serving from 1939–43. When Fitzgerald died suddenly and Lieutenant Governor Luren Dickinson
Luren Dickinson
Luren Dudley Dickinson was an American politician. He served as the 37th Governor of Michigan from 1939 to 1940...
took the Governorship, Dickenson turned to Kelly for assistance, and for approximately two years Harry acted as chief counsel and confidante to Governor Dickinson.
In 1942, the Republican party turned to Kelly as a candidate for governor, and on November 3, 1942, he defeated Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Governor Murray Van Wagoner
Murray Van Wagoner
Murray Delos Van Wagoner was an American politician. He served as the 38th Governor of Michigan from 1941 to 1942.-Early life:...
in the general election to become 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:...
. In 1944, while governor, he served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
which nominated Thomas E. Dewey for U.S. President. He was elected to a second two-year term in 1946, and during his four years in office, the state government was reorganized and a grand jury was convened to examine misappropriations in the legislature. The War Governor, as he was nicknamed, declined to run for re-election in 1946.
After serving out his second term, Kelly returned to private practice until, in 1950, the Republican party again asked him to run for governor. He lost a close race to 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....
by only 1154 votes.
In 1954, he was nominated by the Republican party to a seat on 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...
. He was elected, and served from 1954–71.
Father of actor Brian Kelly
His son Brian KellyBrian Kelly (actor)
Brian Kelly was an American actor best known for his role as Porter Ricks, the widowed father of two sons on the NBC television series Flipper, and as Scott Ross in the ABC advernture series Straightaway, with co-star John Ashley.-Early years:Born in Detroit, Michigan, Kelly was the son of former...
was an American actor best known for his role as the father on the television series Flipper
Flipper (1964 TV series)
Flipper, from Ivan Tors Films in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television, is an American television program first broadcast on NBC from September 19, 1964, until April 15, 1967. Flipper, a bottlenose dolphin, is the companion animal of Porter Ricks, Chief Warden at fictional Coral Key Park...
. Earlier, Brian Kelly costarred with John Ashley
John Ashley (actor)
John Ashley was an actor who appeared in many films, most notably the American International Pictures' "Beach Party" films...
as the co-owner of the "Straightaway Garage" on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's Straightaway
Straightaway
Straightaway is a 26-week half-hour drama series which ran on ABC television during the 1961–1962 season –the story of two young men who operate a garage and engage in auto racing. John Ashley and Brian Kelly played race car designers Clipper Hamilton and Scott Ross, respectively. Scott...
, which focuses on auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
.
Retirement and death
Kelly died at the age of seventy-five while in West Palm Beach, FloridaWest Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
. He is interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery of Southfield, Michigan
Southfield, Michigan
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which 0.04% is water. The main branch of the River Rouge runs through Southfield. The city is bounded to the south by Eight Mile Road, its western border is Inkster Road, and to the east it is bounded by Greenfield Road...
.