Adam McMullen (June 12, 1872 – March 2, 1959) was an American Republican politician and was the 21st Governor of Nebraska.
Early life McMullen was born on June 12, 1872, in Wellsville, New York, to Mary (née Harbouse) and John H. McMullen. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Wymore, Nebraska. He was a founding member of the Beta Tau chapter of Delta Tau Delta fraternity at the University of Nebraska in 1894.
McMullen worked as a secretary for Nebraska Congressman Jesse Strode, then for Senator Charles Henry Dietrich. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts in 1896, and matriculated at George Washington University, where he earned a law degree in 1899. He was admitted to the bar in 1901.
Career McMullen returned to Nebraska and practiced law in a private practice in Wymore. He continued his law practice until 1914.
In 1904, McMullen was elected to the Nebraska House of Representatives; He was reelected to a second term in 1906. He wrote the direct primary bill. After this time, McMullen served as mayor of Wymore.
In 1916, McMullen was elected to the Nebraska State Senate and served from 1917 to 1919. From 1916 to 1920, he was also a member of the Wymore School Board, serving as president during the last two years. He was elected Governor of Nebraska for two terms, in 1924 and in 1926. In the 1928 Republican National Convention, he led a delegation of midwest governors to initiate a farm program to boost the agricultural economy of midwestern states. During his tenure, the state deficit was erased using a special tax and the state highway program was improved.
After stepping down from the governorship, McMullen settled in Beatrice, Nebraska, and continued to stay politically active while pursuing his own business interests. He served as postmaster of Beatrice from 1932 to 1936. He was also a delegate to the 1932 Republican National Convention. In 1940, he ran for the U.S. Senate, but was unsuccessful. In 1956, he attacked the Eisenhower administration and supported Adlai Stevenson II.
Personal life McMullen married Cora Greenwood, daughter of Mary (née Cavanaugh) and H. A. Greenwood, of Wymore in June 1901. He was a 32nd degree Mason at Albert Pike Lodge in Washington, D.C. He was a member and vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church. He was also a member of the Blizzard of 1888 Club. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Wymore, the York Rite of Beatrice, the Scottish Rite of Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Sesostris Temple of the Shrine in Lincoln. He received the KCCH degree in the York Rite from the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Washington, D.C.
McMullen died on March 2, 1959. He is interred at Wymore Cemetery.
References
External links
National Governors Association Encyclopedia of Nebraska