James Nolan (politician)

James Nolan (June 23, 1901 – October 24, 1991) was an American politician and businessman who served several terms in the Alaska Legislature, representing Wrangell, Alaska, as a Democrat.[1][2] He served as the 21st president of the Alaska Senate from 1955 to 1957.

James Nolan
Member of the Alaska Senate from District A
In office
January 26, 1959 – January 23, 1967
Serving with Frank Peratrovich
21st President of the Alaska Senate
In office
January 24, 1955 – January 28, 1957
Preceded byCharles D. Jones
Succeeded byVictor Rivers
Member of the Alaska Senate
from the 1st district
In office
January 22, 1951 – January 26, 1959
Serving with Doris Barnes (1953–1957)
Member of the Alaska House of Representatives
from the 1st district
In office
January 27, 1947 – January 22, 1951
Serving with Doris Barnes (1949–1951)
Personal details
Born(1901-06-23)June 23, 1901
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedOctober 24, 1991(1991-10-24) (aged 90)
Wrangell, Alaska, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Elsie Sylvester
​
(m. 1925)​
Parent(s)John J. Nolan
Mary (Ringrose) Nolan
EducationUniversity of Alaska Southeast (Honorary doctorate)
ProfessionPolitician, businessman

Early life and education

Nolan was born on June 23, 1901 in Boston, Massachusetts, where he attended high school.[3] He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alaska Southeast in 1983.

In 1920, Nolan became a resident of Alaska at the age of 19.

Career

Nolan served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1947 to 1951, representing the 1st legislative district of Alaska as a Democrat in the 18th and 19th territorial legislatures.[lower-alpha 1]

Nolan subsequently served in the Alaska Senate until 1967, representing the 1st legislative district of Alaska in the 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd territorial legislatures, as well as District A of Alaska in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th state legislatures. He was elected the 21st president of the Alaska Senate in 1955; he served until 1957.

Nolan was a delegate at the Alaska constitutional convention.

Outside of the Alaska Legislature, Nolan was a member of the Wrangell city council, a chairman of the Selective Service Board, and president of the Wrangell Chamber of Congress.

In 1967, Nolan was appointed to the Board of Regents to succeed John Conway. His term expired in 1973.

Outside of politics, Nolan worked as a commercial fisherman during summers. He was also a U.S. Deputy Marshal in his community from 1934 to 1935.

Personal life and death

Nolan married Elsie Sylvester in 1925. He was a member of The Elks.

Nolan was a Catholic.[4]

Nolan died at the age of 90 in Wrangell on October 24, 1991.[5]

Notes
  1. According to the University of Alaska System, Nolan became Speaker of the House in 1949. However, this title actually belonged to Stanley McCutcheon.

References
  1. "Alaska Constitutional Convention" (PDF). Alaska State Legislature. pp. 4, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41.
  2. "The Beginning of Statehood". 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature. Juneau, Alaska: Alaska Legislature. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  3. "James Nolan". 100 Years of Alaska's Legislature. Juneau, Alaska: Alaska Legislature. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
  4. "Nolan". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  5. "1967-1973 James Nolan". University of Alaska System. Retrieved November 7, 2022.
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