John S. McKiernan
Encyclopedia
John Sammon McKiernan was the United States Democratic politician, who served as the Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island from 1947–1950 and 1951–1956 and briefly the 62nd Governor of Rhode Island (1950–1951).
Born in Providence, Rhode Island
, McKiernan graduated from the Notre Dame University in 1934 and from Boston University
in Law School
in 1937. After this, he went on to run his own law practice. and serve as legal advisor to the Providence Civil Service Commission as well as chairman of the Providence Fair Rents Committee in 1941.
In 1942 and 1943 he served as the first Assistant City Solicitor for Providence. After a break caused by his service in the US Navy be retook this post.
He was elected the Lieutenant Governor in 1946 and remained so until 1950. His Governor at the time was John O. Pastore
, a fellow Democrat.
As Lieutenant Governor and presiding officer of the state Senate in 1949, McKiernan cast the tie-breaking vote that resulted in the adoption of new rules effectively giving Democrats control of the Senate’s legislative committees for the first time in more than decade.
After Pastore left office earlier in order to became a United States Senator, McKiernan became Governor and served from December 19, 1950 to January 2, 1951. He didn't seek election for Governor and became Lieutenant Governor again under administration of another Democrat, Dennis J. Roberts
.
He resigned as Lieutenant Governor in 1956 to accept appointment as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court.
A Roman Catholic, he was married to Elizabeth St. Pierre.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, McKiernan graduated from the Notre Dame University in 1934 and from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
in Law School
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
in 1937. After this, he went on to run his own law practice. and serve as legal advisor to the Providence Civil Service Commission as well as chairman of the Providence Fair Rents Committee in 1941.
In 1942 and 1943 he served as the first Assistant City Solicitor for Providence. After a break caused by his service in the US Navy be retook this post.
He was elected the Lieutenant Governor in 1946 and remained so until 1950. His Governor at the time was John O. Pastore
John O. Pastore
John Orlando Pastore was a Rhode Island Democratic Party politician who was a United States Senator from Rhode Island and the 61st Governor of Rhode Island , and was the first Italian American to hold either position.-Early life and career:Born in Providence on March 17, 1907, he attended...
, a fellow Democrat.
As Lieutenant Governor and presiding officer of the state Senate in 1949, McKiernan cast the tie-breaking vote that resulted in the adoption of new rules effectively giving Democrats control of the Senate’s legislative committees for the first time in more than decade.
After Pastore left office earlier in order to became a United States Senator, McKiernan became Governor and served from December 19, 1950 to January 2, 1951. He didn't seek election for Governor and became Lieutenant Governor again under administration of another Democrat, Dennis J. Roberts
Dennis J. Roberts
Dennis Joseph Roberts was an American politician, member of the Democratic Party, who served as 63rd Governor of Rhode Island....
.
He resigned as Lieutenant Governor in 1956 to accept appointment as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court.
A Roman Catholic, he was married to Elizabeth St. Pierre.