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    Sullivan, George Henry "Geo. H."

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    Senate 1907-14 (District 31); Senate 1915-16 (District 43); Senate 1917-18 (District 43); Senate 1919-35 (District 43)

    Party when first elected:  Republican

    Counties Served:  Washington

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 12/20/1867
    Birth Place: Stillwater, Minnesota
    Birth County: Washington
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 2/15/1935
    Gender: Male
    Religion:
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names: Geo. H.
    City of Residence (when first elected): Stillwater
    Occupation (when first elected): Practicing Law

    EDUCATION

    Stillwater Public Schools; Elementary School;
    University of Wisconsin, Law School; Law Degree; June 20, 1888

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    County Attorney: Washington County, Minnesota; 1891 to 1??? [Elected]
    Municipal Attorney: Stillwater, Minnesota (City Attorney); 1901 to 1907 [Appointed]
    State Lieutenant Governor: Minnesota; 10/28/1916 to 01/02/1917

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Kittie E. Brand (married on September 4, 1889)
    Children: Three children: Katherine E., Daniel C., and Goodrich M.
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He became lieutenant governor after the death of Governor Hammond on December 30, 1915 and Lt. Governor J.A.A. Burnquist's elevation to Governor. We note Sen. George H. Sullivan as Lt. Governor starting on October 28, 1916. However, the newspapers call Sen. Sullivan "Lieutenant Governor" as early as January 1916 (in describing the funeral procession of Gov. Hammond, etc.). An article from October 29, 1916 states that during the October 28 one-day special session, Sullivan was sworn in as lieutenant governor, marking his "official ascendancy" to the post.

    He was a member of the Republican Party.

    He died in Mahtomedi, Minnesota.

    Most recent term photo
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    Total Days Served: 10218

    SESSIONS SERVED

    49th Legislative Session (1935-1936)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 11/6/1934
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/8/1935 to 2/15/1935 (unfinished term)
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Committees
    • Corporations
    • Judiciary
    • Labor
    • Markets and Marketing
    • Motor Vehicle and Motor Tax Laws
    • Public Domain
    • Public Highways
    • Reapportionment
    • Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
    Reason for unfinished term: Death
    Session Notes: He died while in office on February 15, 1935.
    term photo
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    48th Legislative Session (1933-1934) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 11/4/1930
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/6/1931 to 1/7/1935
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Corporations
    • Judiciary
    • Markets and Marketing
    • Motor Vehicles and Motor Tax Laws
    • Public Domain
    • Public Highways
    • Reapportionment
    • Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
    term photo
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    47th Legislative Session (1931-1932)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 11/4/1930
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/6/1931 to 1/7/1935
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Civil Administration
    • Judiciary
    • Markets and Marketing
    • Motor Vehicles and Motor Tax Laws
    • Public Domain
    • Public Highways
    • Reapportionment
    • Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
    term photo
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    46th Legislative Session (1929-1930) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 11/2/1926
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/4/1927 to 1/5/1931
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Civil Administration
    • Judiciary
    • Labor
    • Markets and Marketing
    • Motor Vehicles and Motor Tax Laws
    • Public Highways
    • Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)

    45th Legislative Session (1927-1928)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 11/2/1926
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/4/1927 to 1/5/1931
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Civil Administration
    • Judiciary
    • Labor
    • Markets and Marketing
    • Motor Vehicles and Motor Tax Laws
    • Public Highways
    • Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
    term photo
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    44th Legislative Session (1925-1926) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 11/7/1922
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/2/1923 to 1/3/1927
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Civil Administration
    • Judiciary
    • Markets and Marketing
    • Motor Vehicles and Motor Tax Laws
    • Public Highways
    • Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)

    43rd Legislative Session (1923-1924)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 11/7/1922
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/2/1923 to 1/3/1927
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Judiciary
    • Markets and Marketing
    • Public Highways
    • Rules and Legislative Expense (Chair)
    • Soldiers Home
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
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    42nd Legislative Session (1921-1922) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 2/20/1919
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 2/24/1919 to 1/1/1923 (Special Election)
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Agriculture and Agricultural Markets
    • Judiciary
    • Public Domain
    • Public Institutions
    • Rules (Chair)
    • Soldiers Home
    Session Notes: In the 1918 election, W.W. Wilcox's margin of victory over George Henry Sullivan was 43 votes. A recount occurred and W.W. Wilcox was found to have won by 35 votes. Wilcox was also charged with violations of the fair campaign practices act. After much debate, on January 31, 1919 the Senators declared the seat vacant. A special election was held, which Sullivan won.
    term photo
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    41st Legislative Session (1919-1920)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 2/20/1919
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 2/24/1919 to 1/1/1923 (Special Election)
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Dairy Products and Live Stock
    • Grain and Warehouse
    • Judiciary
    • Markets and Marketing
    • Public Domain
    • Public Institutions and Buildings
    Session Notes: In the 1918 election, W.W. Wilcox's margin of victory over George Henry Sullivan was 43 votes. A recount occurred and W.W. Wilcox was found to have won by 35 votes. Wilcox was also charged with violations of the fair campaign practices act. After much debate, on January 31, 1919 the Senators declared the seat vacant. A special election was held, which Sullivan won.
    term photo
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    40th Legislative Session (1917-1918) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 11/3/1914
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/5/1915 to 1/6/1919
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Civil Administration
    • Judiciary
    • Municipal Affairs (Chair)
    • Public Service Corporations
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
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    39th Legislative Session (1915-1916)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 43
    Elected: 11/3/1914
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/5/1915 to 1/6/1919
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Nonpartisan Election
    Committees:
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Negligence
    • Judiciary: Public Utilities
    • Judiciary: Tax Laws (Chair)
    • Municipal Affairs (Chair)
    • Public Service Corporations
    Leadership Position: President Pro Tempore
    Session Notes: On December 30, 1915, Governor Hammond died in office. Lt. Governor J.A.A. Burnquist became Governor upon his death. We note Sen. George H. Sullivan as Lt. Governor starting on October 28, 1916. However, the newspapers call Sen. Sullivan "Lieutenant Governor" as early as January 1916 (in describing the funeral procession of Gov. Hammond, etc.). An article from October 29, 1916 states that during the October 28 one-day special session, Sullivan was sworn in as lieutenant governor, marking his "official ascendancy" to the post.
    term photo
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    38th Legislative Session (1913-1914) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 31
    Elected: 11/8/1910
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/3/1911 to 1/4/1915
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Republican
    Committees:
    • Claims
    • Forestry and Fire Protection
    • General Legislation
    • Hospitals for the Insane
    • Judiciary
    • Penal Institutions and Crimes (Chair)
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
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    37th Legislative Session (1911-1912)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 31
    Elected: 11/8/1910
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/3/1911 to 1/4/1915
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Republican
    Committees:
    • Claims
    • Hospitals for Insane
    • Insurance
    • Judiciary
    • Logs and Lumber
    • Municipal Corporations (Chair)
    • State Prison
    • State Public Schools
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
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    36th Legislative Session (1909-1910) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 31
    Elected: 11/6/1906
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/8/1907 to 1/2/1911
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Republican
    Committees:
    • Corporations
    • Hospitals for Insane
    • Judiciary
    • Labor
    • Libraries
    • Logs and Lumber
    • State Prison (Chair)
    • State Training Schools
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
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    35th Legislative Session (1907-1908)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 31
    Elected: 11/6/1906
    Residence: Stillwater
    Term of Office: 1/8/1907 to 1/2/1911
    Counties Represented: Washington
    Occupation: Practicing Law
    Party: Republican
    Committees:
    • Corporations
    • Hospitals for Insane
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Criminal Law
    • Judiciary: Municipal Corporations (Chair)
    • Judiciary: Probate Law
    • Judiciary: Tax Laws
    • Labor
    • Libraries
    • Logs and Lumber
    • State Prison (Chair)
    • State Training School
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    term photo
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    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    In Memorium: Senators George H. Sullivan and C.J. Putzier. State of Minnesota Senate Chamber, March 25, 1935. - The information on George H. Sullivan also appeared in the Minnesota Journal of the Senate, March 26, 1935, p. 777-790.

    “Sullivan v. Wilcox.” Minnesota Journal of the Senate, January 31, 1919, p.231-233.

    Buell, C.J. "The Sullivan-Wilcox Contest." The Minnesota Legislature of 1919.

    George H. (Henry) Sullivan. Biographical Information from the Minnesota Historical Society's Governors of Minnesota.


    These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

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