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Galen Lee Finnegan
Lilah Crowe2021-12-06T16:37:45-06:00
- Name: Galen Lee Finnegan
- Location of Birth: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
- Date of Birth: October 25, 1893
- Date of Death: May 2, 1974 (80 years old)
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- College: 1917 - Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota
- Highest Rank:
- Branch: Army
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- Date Sworn In:
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- Date of Discharge:
- Place of Discharge: 1919
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Galen had been a high school and Carleton College athlete, an independent logger, dairyman, banker, "walking boss" for a paper company logging operation, state legislator, state surveyor general, tax investigator and ardent sports fan. Active in promoting hockey, Galen was among the leaders in the successful drive to obtain an indoor arena for Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He retained his interest in sports throughout his life,
Always interested in the outdoors, Galen lived at Pokegama and Winnie government dams as a boy when his father, B. C. Finnegan, was in charge of their operation. In high school, he played football, baseball, and basketball, and he continued in those sports at Carleton Collège. After graduating in 1917, he worked for the First State Bank in Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, First National at Bovey, Minnesota, First National at Keewatin, Minnesota and the National at Aitkin, Minnesota.
After his discharge from the army in 1919, Galen resumed his banking career at Keewatin and Calumet, Minnesota. He went into the timber business in 1926 and was elected to the state legislature as representative of this district in 1932. Galen headed a number of important committees and was credited for much of the progress in highway construction during that period. He was re-elected in 1934, but did not seek re-election in 1936 because of business interests. He was appointed State Surveyor General in 1945, a position he held until his retirement in 1954.
Galen retained his active interest in government, frequently attending meetings of the District 318 School Board, the Village Council, and the County Board and participating in discussions.
Galen was a member of the American Legion and Masonic Lodge.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; and one sister, Miss Frances Finnegan.
Galen died at his home and is buried in Itasca Calvary Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. (Plot I-A-03-1-7)
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