Here’s a unique (and prophetic!) occupational name for you.
Before George Theodore Mickelson became the 18th Governor of South Dakota in the late ’40s and early ’50s, he served in the South Dakota House of Representatives for two terms (1937-1941). His second term, he was Speaker of the House.
His son was born on January 31, 1941, “during a mid-session recess of the legislature.” House members asked to name the baby, and Speaker Mickelson (after consulting his wife) agreed.
The baby was named George Speaker Mickelson by a resolution of the South Dakota House of Representatives.
Talk about “like father, like son” — George Speaker Mickelson ended up becoming the 28th Governor of South Dakota in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Before that, he served in the South Dakota House of Representatives for three terms (1975-1980). His third term, he was Speaker of the House.
And that made him Speaker George Speaker Mickelson.
Sources:
- “Legislature Names Speaker’s New Son” St. Petersburg Times 13 Feb. 1941: 6.
- “Clues Sought on Mickelson Crash.” Telegraph [Nashua, NH] 21 Apr. 1993: 3.
Image: George S. Mickelson
