Emil Seidel was a prominent German-American politician.
25 Facts About Emil Seidel
2.
The first Socialist mayor of a major city in the United States, Emil Seidel became the Vice Presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America in the 1912 presidential election.
3.
Emil Seidel was born December 13,1864 in the town of Ashland in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the son of ethnic German emigrants from Pomerania.
4.
Emil Seidel's family moved to Wisconsin in 1867, living first in Prairie du Chien before moving to the state capital of Madison.
5.
Emil Seidel attended public school up to the age of 13, when he dropped out to become a woodcarver.
6.
Emil Seidel continued to study after leaving school, reading extensively.
7.
At the age of 22, Emil Seidel went abroad to refine his skills as a woodcarver.
8.
Emil Seidel lived for six years in Berlin, working at his trade during the day and attending school at night.
9.
When Emil Seidel returned to the United States in 1892 he joined the Socialist Labor Party of America.
10.
Emil Seidel was a charter member of the first SLP branch in Milwaukee.
11.
Emil Seidel became an active member of the Pattern Makers Union.
12.
Emil Seidel later joined the Social Democracy of America, the Social Democratic Party of America, and the Socialist Party of America in turn.
13.
Emil Seidel resided briefly in Washington state, serving as the first secretary of Local Redmond SPA in the fall of 1901.
14.
In 1904 Emil Seidel was one of nine Socialists to win electoral victory as Milwaukee city aldermen, elected in the city's 20th ward.
15.
Emil Seidel served two terms in that position before making his first mayoral run in 1908.
16.
Emil Seidel was returned as a city alderman at large in the election of 1909.
17.
In 1910, Emil Seidel was elected mayor of Milwaukee, becoming the first Socialist mayor of a major city in the United States.
18.
Emil Seidel cleaned up the town with strict regulation of bars and the closing of brothels and sporting parlors.
19.
Emil Seidel tried to win re-election as mayor of Milwaukee in 1914, but was soundly defeated.
20.
Emil Seidel was returned to the city council as an alderman at large in the city election of 1916.
21.
Emil Seidel won re-election in 1918, remaining at the post until 1920.
22.
Emil Seidel was an outspoken opponent of a proposed Milwaukee "loyalty ordinance".
23.
Emil Seidel served a final four-year stint as a Milwaukee city alderman from 1932 until 1936.
24.
Emil Seidel remained a resident of Milwaukee, living on the northwest side of the city, passing his time painting, composing music, creating poetry, and writing his autobiography.
25.
Emil Seidel died in Milwaukee on June 24,1947, following an illness of several months' duration related to complications from a heart condition.