Owen A. Gallagher

Owen Ambrose Gallagher (1902–1977) was an American politician who served in both chambers of the Massachusetts General Court and held positions in city and state government.

Owen A. Gallagher
Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 8th Suffolk District
In office
1933–1935
Preceded byMax Clin
Succeeded byThomas M. Burke
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 17th Suffolk District
In office
1927–1933
Personal details
BornMay 24, 1902
Newton, Massachusetts
DiedApril 7, 1977 (aged 74)
Boston
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Emily Couture
RelationsDaniel J. Gallagher (father)
Childrennone
Alma materBoston College
Boston University School of Law
ProfessionAttorney

Early life

Gallagher was born on May 24, 1902 in Newton, Massachusetts.[1] His father, Daniel J. Gallagher, was a political and legal figure who served as United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts from 1920 to 1921. Gallagher grew up in Dorchester and graduated from Boston College High School in 1919. He went on to attend Boston College, where he won the Fulton medal for oratory, was class president his senior year, and played third base for the Boston College Eagles baseball team.[2] He graduated from B.C. in 1923 and the Boston University School of Law in 1926.[1]

Political career

Gallagher was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1927 to 1933 and represented the 8th Suffolk District in the Massachusetts Senate from 1933 to 1935.[1] In 1934 he was appointed chairman of the board of street commissioners by Boston mayor Frederick Mansfield. He resigned from this position on March 30, 1937 in order to run for district attorney of Suffolk County.[3] He finished second in the Democratic primary behind incumbent William J. Foley.[4]

In 1940, Gallagher ran for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. He narrowly won the Democratic primary - defeating his closest opponent, John C. Carr, by 78 votes. He lost the general election to Horace T. Cahill 50.6% to 47.6%.[5]

During World War II, Gallagher was a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy.[6]

From 1946 to 1949, Gallagher was a member of the state racing commission.[7][8] In 1950 he was named the director of the Boston Housing Authority's slum clearance and urban renewal program. The following year he was appointed to the authority's board of directors by Mayor John Hynes.[9] He remained on the board until 1961, when Mayor John F. Collins chose not to reappoint him.[10]

Personal life

On April 19, 1951, Gallagher married Emily L. Couture, a switchboard operator at the Suffolk County Courthouse.[11] Gallagher died on April 7, 1977 at the Long Island Hospital. He was predeceased by his wife.[6]

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References
  1. Public Officials of Massachusetts 1933-34.
  2. Alden, John (September 19, 1940). "Heads of Democratic State Ticket Alike in Many Ways". The Boston Daily Globe.
  3. "Maloof Named to Gallagher's City Posts, Say Latter to Run For District Attorney". The Boston Daily Globe. April 1, 1937.
  4. Election Statistics; The Commonwealth of Massachusetts 1938. 1937–1939. p. 222.CS1 maint: date format (link)
  5. Frederic W. Cook, Secretary of the Commonwealth (1941). Election Statistics, 1940. Boston, MA.
  6. "Atty. Owen A. Gallagher, 74, long active in government". The Boston Globe. April 9, 1977.
  7. Welch, Eddie (March 21, 1946). "Gallagher Racing Choice Fills Strong Commission". The Boston Daily Globe.
  8. "Dever Appoints Thomas Beedem to Racing Board". The Boston Daily Globe. March 3, 1949.
  9. "Owen A. Gallagher Replaces Coleman on Housing Board". The Boston Daily Globe. January 9, 1951.
  10. Hanron, Robert A. (February 14, 1961). "Check Asked On West End Renewal Job". The Boston Daily Globe.
  11. "Owen A. Gallagher Weds Miss Couture in St. Cecilia's Today". The Boston Daily Globe. April 19, 1951.
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