John S facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John S. Fine
35th Governor of Pennsylvania
In office January 16, 1951 – January 18, 1955
Lieutenant	Lloyd Wood
Preceded by	James Duff
Succeeded by	George Leader
Personal details
Born	John Sydney Fine (1893-04-10)April 10, 1893 Newport Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States
Died	May 21, 1978(1978-05-21) (aged 85)
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Helene Pennebecker Morgan (December 5, 1939–April 23, 1951; her death)
Children	Two sons
Alma mater	Dickinson School of Law
Profession	Attorney, Judge

John Sydney Fine (born April 10, 1893 – died May 21, 1978) was an American lawyer, judge, and politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. Fine served as the 35th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1951 to 1955.

Early Life and Education

John Fine was born in Newport Township, Pennsylvania. He was one of nine children in his family. In 1895, his family moved to Nanticoke. There, John went to local public schools.

As a young boy, he worked on a coal company farm. He milked cows and plowed fields. Later, as a teenager, he reported local news for the Wilkes-Barre Record newspaper.

High School and Law School

Fine graduated from Nanticoke High School in 1911. He was the valedictorian, meaning he was the top student in his class. After high school, he studied at the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle. He earned his law degree in 1914.

He was allowed to practice law in Luzerne County in 1914. In 1915, he could practice before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. He then opened his own law office in Wilkes-Barre. From 1916 to 1920, he was a Republican leader in his local area.

Military Service and Political Career

During World War I, John Fine joined the 23rd U.S. Army Engineers. He reached the rank of sergeant. In 1919, while serving in Ireland, he took extra classes at Trinity College in Dublin.

After his military service, he went back to practicing law. He became a partner in a law firm called Coughlin and Fine. He held important roles in the Republican Party in Luzerne County. He was secretary from 1920 to 1922 and chairman from 1922 to 1923.

Becoming a Judge

On January 3, 1927, Governor Gifford Pinchot appointed John Fine to be a judge. He joined the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County. He was elected to a full ten-year term later that year. He was re-elected for another term in 1939.

In 1936, he was chosen to be a delegate. This meant he represented Pennsylvania at the 1936 Republican National Convention. In 1939, he married Helene Pennebecker Morgan. They had two sons. Helene passed away in 1950.

In 1942, Fine tried to become a judge for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania but was not successful. On July 15, 1947, Governor James H. Duff appointed him to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. He was elected to a permanent term in November 1947. He served there until 1950, when he decided to run for governor.

Election as Governor

In 1950, Governor Duff decided to run for the United States Senate. John Fine then ran for Governor of Pennsylvania. He was elected as the 35th Governor. In the Republican primary election, Fine was supported by Governor Duff. He won against Jay Cooke, a wealthy businessman from Philadelphia.

In the main election, Fine won by a small number of votes. He defeated Democrat Richardson Dilworth. Dilworth later became the mayor of Philadelphia.

John Fine was the first Governor of Pennsylvania to have his inauguration shown on television. His term as governor lasted from 1951 to 1955.