Governor George S. Mickelson

GEORGE S. MICKELSON was born in Mobridge, South Dakota. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1963 and his law degree in 1965 from the University of South Dakota. He attained the rank of captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He went on to become Assistant Attorney General of South Dakota, special prosecutor in the Attorney General’s office, Brookings County State’s Attorney. In addition, he served in the South Dakota House of Representatives, where he was elected Speaker. As governor he worked to improve education, increase the minimum wage, promote health care reform, and solve water issues. He also created the Revolving Economic Development and Initiative Fund. Mickelson was killed in a plane crash during his second gubernatorial term.