Harry Francis Kelly (April 19, 1895 – February 8, 1971) was an American politician. He was the 39th governor of Michigan from 1943 to 1947.
Early life
Kelly was born in Ottawa, Illinois, one of nine children to Mary Agnes (Morrissey) and Henry Michael Kelly, a lawyer. Both of his parents were Roman Catholics with Irish ancestry. Before starting college, Kelly helped his father in his law office. He then joined the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a law degree from Notre Dame Law School in 1917. During World War I, Kelly served in the U.S. Army. He was injured and lost his right leg during the Battle of Chateau-Thierry. He also received the Croix de Guerre with palm leaves for his actions. After returning to the United States, Kelly worked for the American Liberty bond drive.
After the war, Kelly began a career in public service. He worked as the state's attorney for LaSalle County, Illinois, from 1920 to 1924. During this time, his father moved to Detroit to represent General Motors in Michigan. After Kelly's term as state's attorney ended, he joined his father and younger brother Emmett to form the law firm of Kelly, Kelly, and Kelly.
In 1929, Kelly married Anne Veronica O'Brien. They had six children together, including actor Brian Kelly. The next year, he became the assistant prosecuting attorney for Wayne County, Michigan. He held this position until 1934.
Politics
Kelly was chosen by Governor Frank Fitzgerald to lead the Detroit area Alcohol Control Commission. Later, Fitzgerald asked Kelly to run for Michigan Secretary of State, a position Kelly accepted. He was elected and served from 1939 to 1943. After Fitzgerald passed away suddenly, Lieutenant Governor Luren Dickinson became governor. Dickinson then asked Kelly to help, and for about two years, Kelly worked as the main legal advisor and close assistant to Governor Dickinson.
In 1942, the Republican party selected Kelly as their candidate for governor. On November 3, 1942, he won the general election against the current Democratic governor, Murray Van Wagoner, becoming Governor of Michigan. In 1944, while serving as governor, Kelly attended the Republican National Convention, where Thomas E. Dewey was nominated as a candidate for U.S. president. Kelly was re-elected governor in 1944 and served for four years. During his time in office, the state government was reorganized, and a grand jury was formed to investigate misuse of funds in the legislature. Kelly also appointed Vera Burridge Baits and Roscoe Bonisteel as Regents to the University of Michigan. Known as the "War Governor," Kelly decided not to seek re-election in 1946.
After completing his second term, Kelly returned to private work until 1950, when the Republican party asked him to run for governor again. He lost the election to Governor G. Mennen Williams by only 1,154 votes. Initially, Kelly was declared the winner, but Williams requested a recount, which found errors in the vote count and changed the election result.
In 1954, the Republican party nominated Kelly for a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court. He was elected and served from 1954 to 1971.
Retirement and death
Kelly died at the age of 75 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He is buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan. A portrait of Governor Kelly, painted by John Coppin, hangs in the rotunda of the Michigan State Capitol.