Michigan Governor. He was the 38th Governor of the state of Michigan, serving as a Democrat from January 1, 1941 to January 1, 1943. His education was attained at the University of Michigan, where he earned a civil engineering degree in 1921. Van Wagoner established an extensive career in engineering, especially highway systems. He entered politics on the local level as the county's commissioner of drains in 1930. In 1933, he became Michigan State Highway commissioner and held this office until he was elected governor. The State Department of Transportation named "The Murray Van Wagoner Transportation Building" in his honor. As governor, he supported the growth in the state's highway system, the elimination of a 27-million-dollar deficit, the reinstating of the state mental hospital, and dealt with auto companies' strikes. He was defeated in the re-election for governor in 1942 and also as a candidate in 1946. In October of 1947, he was appointed to the post of military governor of Bavaria in post-World War II Germany and resigned in November of 1949. He was very active with the Democratic Convention through the 1952 Presidential election. After retiring from politics, he resumed his engineering interests. He was inducted into the Michigan Transportation Hall of Honor in 1971.
Michigan Governor. He was the 38th Governor of the state of Michigan, serving as a Democrat from January 1, 1941 to January 1, 1943. His education was attained at the University of Michigan, where he earned a civil engineering degree in 1921. Van Wagoner established an extensive career in engineering, especially highway systems. He entered politics on the local level as the county's commissioner of drains in 1930. In 1933, he became Michigan State Highway commissioner and held this office until he was elected governor. The State Department of Transportation named "The Murray Van Wagoner Transportation Building" in his honor. As governor, he supported the growth in the state's highway system, the elimination of a 27-million-dollar deficit, the reinstating of the state mental hospital, and dealt with auto companies' strikes. He was defeated in the re-election for governor in 1942 and also as a candidate in 1946. In October of 1947, he was appointed to the post of military governor of Bavaria in post-World War II Germany and resigned in November of 1949. He was very active with the Democratic Convention through the 1952 Presidential election. After retiring from politics, he resumed his engineering interests. He was inducted into the Michigan Transportation Hall of Honor in 1971.
Bio by: Linda Davis
Family Members
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