Legislator Details

Image of John  Burley Swainson
Image Description:
John B. Swainson portrait from Manual 1950 p.xvii

John Burley Swainson
AKA:
Number of sessions served 2
Gender: Male
Age at election: 29

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 7/31/1925
City: Windsor, ON
County:
Country: Canada
 
Death
Date: 5/13/1994
City: Bridgewater, MI
County: Washtenaw County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial: Interred
Burial
Date:
City: Manchester, MI
County: Wahtenaw County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Oak Grove Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Alice Nielsen of Detroit in 1946; children: Stephen and Peter.

Number of Children: 3


Background

Religion: United Church of Christ
Military Service: United States Army
Occupation: lawyer
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
public schools; attended Olivet College; A.B. & LL.B. University of North Carolina, 1951

Biographical Sketch:
Son of John A. C. Swainson. Moved to Port Huron, MI with his parents at age 2. he became a citizen and enlisted in the US Army in WWII and served with the 95th Infantry under Gen. Patton. In Nov. 1944, his jeep hit a landmine in France. The explosion severed his legs below the knee. He recuperated at Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek. He enrolled in Olivet College in 1946. He pracriced law in Detroit. He was elected Lt. Governor in 1958 and Governor in 1960; 3rd Circuit judge 1965-70. He was a Supreme Court Justice [1971-75] but resigned after a perjury conviction. His license to practice law was suspended for a time. He later became a respected mediator/arbitrator. He was president of the Michigan Historical Commission in 1987. Member: American Legion; Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Disabled American Veterans; the Elks; Lions Club; State Bar of Michigan; Veterans of Foreign Wars. Naturalized US Citizen 1943. He received the Croix de Guerre; Presidential Unit Citation and a Purple Heart.

Notable Facts:
Lost both of his legs in WWII. Senate Majority Leader in 1956. Second youngest man *elected* governor as of 1961. Accused of accepting a bribe as a Supreme Court Justice and though acquitted of that charge, was convicted of perjury in 1975, serving 60 in a Detroit halfway house. His last residence was in Bridgewater or Manchester, MI.


Sessions Served:

Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Retirement, State Affairs , Veterans' Affairs
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Plymouth
County of Residence Wayne
District: 18
District Description: City of Detroit ward 22; cities of Livonia, Northville and Plymouth; townships of Northville, Plymouth and Redford

Date Elected: 11/6/1956
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1957
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: See Notes
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Lt. Governor 1959-60.
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: State Affairs , Veterans' Affairs
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Redford Township
County of Residence Wayne
District: Wayne 18
District Description: City of Detroit ward 22; cities of Livonia and Plymouth; townships of Northville, Plymouth and Redford

Date Elected: 11/2/1954
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1955
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:

Bibliography:

SSDI; MIDeaths 1971-96; Stewards p.116-19; Manual 1955 p.183; PolGryd; PolGryd shows place of death as Manchester, MI.