Frank Fitzgerald | |
---|---|
Secretary of State of Michigan | |
In office 1931–1934 |
|
Preceded by | John S. Haggerty |
Succeeded by | Clarke W. Brown |
34th Governor of Michigan | |
In office January 1, 1935 – January 1, 1937 |
|
Lieutenant | Thomas Read |
Preceded by | |
Succeeded by | Frank Murphy |
36th Governor of Michigan | |
In office January 1, 1939 – March 16, 1939 |
|
Lieutenant | Luren Dickinson |
Preceded by | Frank Murphy |
Succeeded by | Luren Dickinson |
Personal details | |
Born |
Frank Dwight Fitzgerald January 27, 1885 Grand Ledge, Michigan |
Died | March 16, 1939 Grand Ledge, Michigan |
(aged 54)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Queena M. Warner |
Religion | Congregationalist |
Frank Dwight Fitzgerald (January 27, 1885 – March 16, 1939) 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.
Fitzgerald was born in Grand Ledge, Michigan, the son of John Wesley Fitzgerald, a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives from Eaton County, Michigan, 1st District, 1895–1896, and Carrie G. (Foreman) Fitzgerald. He was married on June 28, 1909, to Queena M. Warner and they had one child together. He was also the father of John W. Fitzgerald, a Michigan State Senator and justice of the Michigan Supreme Court as well as chief justice in 1982. Fitzgerald was also the grandfather of Frank M. Fitzgerald, who was a member of the Michigan House from the 56th District 1987-1992 and 71st District 1993-1996. He attended Grand Ledge High School, and received further education at the Ferris Institute (now Ferris State University) in Big Rapids.
Fitzgerald entered politics in 1913, serving as clerk of the State House, as well as serving as clerk of the State Senate, a position held six years. He was also deputy secretary of state from 1919 to 1923.
Fitzgerald served as a delegate from Michigan to the 1924 Republican National Convention at which incumbent Calvin Coolidge was nominated for President. He was a member of Michigan Republican State Central Committee, 1925–1926 and secretary of the Michigan Republican Party, 1929-30. In 1931, he was elected Secretary of State of Michigan. He served as a delegate to the 1932 Republican National Convention, when the convention nominated incumbent President Herbert Hoover. Hoover ultimately lost to Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 General Election.