10 Facts About Paddy Bauler

Mathias 'Paddy' Bauler was an American saloonkeeper and alderman of the 43rd ward of Chicago from 1933 to 1943 and again from 1947 to 1967.

Paddy Bauler was known as a corrupt, controversial and charismatic Chicago political boss and is famous for the quote, "Chicago ain't ready for reform yet", or "Chicago ain't ready for a reform mayor" which he exclaimed many times over while dancing a jig in his saloon upon the news of Richard J Daley's first election as mayor of Chicago in 1955.

Paddy Bauler was the brother of Herman and John Bauler, who had respectively been aldermen from 1909 to 1911 and 1912 to 1920 when the area was part of the 22nd ward.

Mathias Paddy Bauler's father was born in Germany and his mother was born in Illinois of German descent.

Under Herman's aegis Paddy Bauler was first given a city job, which he would continue to receive throughout his career as late as 1957, and which continued under other brother John's aldermanic tenure from 1912 to 1920.

At the time Paddy Bauler was better known for the entertainment he provided at what would later become the De Luxe Gardens.

Paddy Bauler was a candidate for 43rd Ward Democratic Committeeman in 1928, along with Rudolph L Schapp and James J O'Toole.

Paddy Bauler operated a speakeasy at Willow and Howe streets during prohibition and once prohibition was repealed became the first person to obtain a liquor license in Chicago His two-story political office on North Ave.

Paddy Bauler was known as a corrupt politician and against reform.

Paddy Bauler's son was Harry Bauler who was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives; Harry Bauler died before he was able to take the oath of office.