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Military Service: Navy

War(s) Served:  World War I

CHARLES F. HURLEY, the fifty-sixth governor of Massachusetts, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on November 24, 1893. His early education was attained in the Massachusetts public school system. He later attended Boston College, where he graduated in 1915. After finishing his education, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. Hurley entered politics in 1931, serving as the Massachusetts state treasurer, a position he held six years. He next won election to the Massachusetts governorship in 1936, and was sworn into office on January 7, 1937. During his tenure, a minimum wage for women and children was authorized; a law that compelled teachers to take loyalty pledges was vetoed; the fair trades bill was sanctioned; numerous judgeships were secured; and the request to extradite an escaped Georgia black prisoner was dealt with. After running unsuccessfully for reelection, Hurley left office on January 5, 1939, and retired from public service. Governor Charles F. Hurley passed away on March 24, 1946.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 2, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

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