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
21st Attorney General of Minnesota
In office
January 2, 1939  January 3, 1955
GovernorHarold E. Stassen
Edward J. Thye
Luther W. Youngdahl
C. Elmer Anderson
Preceded byWilliam S. Ervin
Succeeded byMiles W. Lord
19th Governor of Minnesota
In office
December 30, 1915  January 5, 1921
LieutenantGeorge H. Sullivan
Thomas Frankson
Preceded byWinfield Scott Hammond
Succeeded byJ. A. O. Preus
20th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
In office
January 7, 1913  December 30, 1915
GovernorAdolph O. Eberhart
Winfield S. Hammond
Preceded bySamuel Y. Gordon
Succeeded byGeorge H. Sullivan
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office
1909-1912
Personal details
Born(1879-07-21)July 21, 1879
Dayton, Iowa
DiedJanuary 12, 1961(1961-01-12) (aged 81)
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Mary Louise Cross
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota Law School
ProfessionLawyer, 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

1918 election poster

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's home at 27 Crocus Place in St. Paul

Burnquist was married on January 1, 1906 to Mary Louise Cross (1880 - 1966). Burnquist died in Minneapolis at the age of 81. [6]

References

  1. "Joseph A. A. Burnquist". National Governors Association. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  2. Jessica Thompson, Minnesota's Legal Hall of Fame, Law & Politics, Accessed November 28, 2010.
  3. Burnquist, Joseph Alfred Arner Minnesota Legislative Reference Library
  4. "Minnesota Commission of Public Safety". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  5. Melo, Frederick (April 8, 2015). "St. Paul Crocus Hill home demolition gets court's OK". Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  6. "Mary Louise Cross Burnquist". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved April 1, 2020.

Other sources

  • Algot E. Strand (1910) A History of the Swedish-Americans of Minnesota, Volume 3 (Lewis Publishing)
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
19391955
Succeeded by
Miles Lord
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