Joseph A. A. Burnquist
Joseph Alfred Arner Burnquist (July 21, 1879 – January 12, 1961) was an American attorney and Republican politician. He served in the Minnesota State Legislature from 1909 to 1911, was elected the 20th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota in 1912, and then served as the 19th Governor of Minnesota from December 30, 1915 to January 5, 1921. He became governor after the death of Governor Winfield Scott Hammond (1863–1915). Burnquist returned to serve as Minnesota Attorney General from January 2, 1939 until January 3, 1955. [1]
Joseph Alfred Arner Burnquist | |
|---|---|
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| 21st Attorney General of Minnesota | |
| In office January 2, 1939 – January 3, 1955 | |
| Governor | Harold E. Stassen Edward J. Thye Luther W. Youngdahl C. Elmer Anderson |
| Preceded by | William S. Ervin |
| Succeeded by | Miles W. Lord |
| 19th Governor of Minnesota | |
| In office December 30, 1915 – January 5, 1921 | |
| Lieutenant | George H. Sullivan Thomas Frankson |
| Preceded by | Winfield Scott Hammond |
| Succeeded by | J. A. O. Preus |
| 20th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota | |
| In office January 7, 1913 – December 30, 1915 | |
| Governor | Adolph O. Eberhart Winfield S. Hammond |
| Preceded by | Samuel Y. Gordon |
| Succeeded by | George H. Sullivan |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives | |
| In office 1909-1912 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 21, 1879 Dayton, Iowa |
| Died | January 12, 1961 (aged 81) Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Louise Cross |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota Law School |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician |
Early years
Joseph Alfred Arner Burnquist was born in Dayton, Iowa of Swedish descent. He attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1905.[2] After a brief time practicing law in St. Paul, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1909 to 1912.[3]
Political career
Governor of Minnesota
During his second term as lieutenant governor, he succeeded Governor Hammond, who died in office unexpectedly. Turbulent times surrounded America's entrance into World War I in 1917. In 1917, Burnquist created commissioned the Minnesota Commission of Public Safety to monitor public sentiment toward the war. The seven-member commission, ostensibly nonpartisan, firmly opposed any action its members considered suspect. Burnquist also initiated legislation that improved the state highways, disaster assistance programs, labor relations, and, especially the welfare of children.[4]
Attorney General of Minnesota
After leaving office he practiced law for 17 years before beginning his lengthy tenure as state Attorney General in 1939. At 16 years and 1 day, he was narrowly surpassed by Skip Humphrey, who served 16 years and 3 days at the end of his tenure in 1999, for longest served Minnesota Attorney General. During the 1920s, he wrote several works in the series "Minnesota and its People" at his home in St. Paul.[5]
Personal life
Burnquist was married on January 1, 1906 to Mary Louise Cross (1880 - 1966). Burnquist died in Minneapolis at the age of 81. [6]
References
- "Joseph A. A. Burnquist". National Governors Association. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- Jessica Thompson, Minnesota's Legal Hall of Fame, Law & Politics, Accessed November 28, 2010.
- Burnquist, Joseph Alfred Arner Minnesota Legislative Reference Library
- "Minnesota Commission of Public Safety". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- Melo, Frederick (April 8, 2015). "St. Paul Crocus Hill home demolition gets court's OK". Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- "Mary Louise Cross Burnquist". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
External links
Other sources
- Algot E. Strand (1910) A History of the Swedish-Americans of Minnesota, Volume 3 (Lewis Publishing)
Related reading
- Biographical information and his gubernatorial records are available for research use at the Minnesota Historical Society.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William E. Lee |
Republican nominee for Governor of Minnesota 1916, 1918 |
Succeeded by J. A. O. Preus |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Winfield Scott Hammond |
Governor of Minnesota 1915–1921 |
Succeeded by J. A. O. Preus |
| Preceded by Samuel Y. Gordon |
Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota 1913–1915 |
Succeeded by George H. Sullivan |
| Legal offices | ||
| Preceded by William S. Ervin |
Minnesota Attorney General 1939–1955 |
Succeeded by Miles Lord |
Attorneys General of Minnesota | ||
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