Harry Kelly (politician)
| Harry Kelly | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 39th Governor of Michigan | |
|
In office January 1, 1943 – January 1, 1947 |
|
| Lieutenant |
Eugene C. Keyes Vernon J. Brown |
| Preceded by | Murray Van Wagoner |
| Succeeded by | Kim Sigler |
| 34th Secretary of State of Michigan | |
|
In office 1939–1943 |
|
| Preceded by | Leon D. Case |
| Succeeded by | Herman H. Dignan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Harry Francis Kelly April 19, 1895 Ottawa, Illinois |
| Died | February 8, 1971 (aged 75) West Palm Beach, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Veronica O'Brien |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Harry Francis Kelly (April 19, 1895 – February 8, 1971) was an American politician. He served as the 39th Governor of Michigan from 1943 to 1947.
Kelly was born in Ottawa, Illinois, the son of Mary Agnes (Morrissey) and Henry Michael Kelly, a lawyer. He was from an Irish Catholic family. Kelly spent a year assisting his father in his law office before enrolling at the University of Notre Dame, where he received a law degree from Notre Dame Law School 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 Veronica 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.
Kelly was selected by Governor Frank Fitzgerald 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.
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