User:Dmmiller23
Fred C. Haack | |
|---|---|
| Alderman of the Sheboygan Common Council for the 5th Ward | |
| In office 1897–1916 | |
| Succeeded by | Ernst Zehms |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Fred C. Haack c. 1873 Germany |
| Died | 1944 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party, Populist Party |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Schneider |
Fred C. Haack (c.1873-1944) was the first Social Democratic Party party member to hold public office in the United States. He was originally elected to the common council of Sheboygan, Wisconsin as a member of the Populist Party in 1897, but he soon joined the local organization of the party, becoming one of its first members. Running on the Socialist ticket, he was re-elected 5th ward alderman in 1898. He served a total of sixteen years. Haack's distinction as first American socialist officeholder was recognized at the national Socialist Party convention held in Milwaukee in 1932. Also elected in 1898 on the socialist ticket was local baseball manager August L. Mohr.[1][2]
Haack was born in Germany, and in 1882 he traveled directly to Sheboygan, where his father Frederick Sr. was a laborer. In 1891 Frederick Sr. opened a shoe and boot store on the city's south side at 1226 Georgia Avenue, where he made his home on the second floor with his wife Regina and his growing family. By 1892 son Fred was the bookkeeper for the family business. In 1897 Fred Jr. married Elizabeth Schneider, who also lived on Georgia Avenue.[3]
As the alderman for Sheboygan's 5th ward, Haack turned from populism to socialism in 1897. He did not advocate a radical agenda, but was often a contentious figure.[4][5] He promoted city ownership of public utilities. He also advanced a bond issue that helped build a new school in his precinct.[6] He was also in favor of paying aldermen to attend council meetings. He sat on various committees concerning the judiciary, the poor, printing, licenses, bonds and salaries, and became a powerful chariman of the building committee later in his tenure. In 1900 the city council appointed a committee to investigate Haack in regard to the purchase of additional school grounds.[7] In 1914 aldermen elected Haack president of the common council.[8] He ran for mayor the next year, but was unsuccessful.[9] Months later he objected to the appointment of a Socialist to a vacant council seat previously held by a Republican.[10]
By the end of the year Haack had bought out the interest of other heirs to the shoe store property, which had become a substation of the local post office.[11] In April 1916 Haack was finally defeated in his re-election to the council.[12] Less than a week later his store (no longer his family's residence) was damaged by a fire that destroyed much of his stock.[13] That October he was hired as a local insurance agent for the Eureka F. & M. and the Security of Cincinnati.[14]
He soon moved his family to Milwaukee, where Haack purchased rental property.[15] By 1924 he was still working in the insurance business. He joined the 24th ward branch of the city's Socialist Party in 1930, and was re-instated as an honorary member of the 21st ward branch. He held the position of party secretary for many years. He later held clerical positions with various Milwaukee County institutions. In later life Haack was crippled in an auto accident. A few years later in August of 1944 his body was found in the Milwaukee River.[16]
- ^ "Former Sheboygan Alderman Fred C. Haack is Laid to Rest," Sheboygan Press, August 4, 1944
- ^ The Sewer Socialists, A History of the Socialist Party in Wisconsin, 1897 - 1940 by Elmer Axel Beck, Westburg Associates, Fennimore, WI, 1982, Volume One, Chapter II
- ^ Sheboygan Times, June 6, 1897
- ^ "John H. Optenberg Second Choice in Proposed Suit," Sheboygan Press, July 19, 1909
- ^ "Another Circular," Sheboygan Press, April 5, 1910
- ^ Sheboygan Times, February 26, 1898
- ^ "Denies the Charges," Milwaukee Journal, January 16, 1900
- ^ "Haack Wins the Plum," Sheboygan Press, April 22, 1914
- ^ Sheboygan Press, March 16, 1915
- ^ "Meyer Crosses Haack," Sheboygan Press, May 4, 1915
- ^ "Ald. Haack Buts Out Heirs," Sheboygan Press, December, 10, 1915.
- ^ "Several Surprises are Sprung," Sheboygan Press, April 5, 1916
- ^ "Haack Shoe Store Burns Last Night," Sheboygan Press, April 11, 1916
- ^ "Wisconsin Notes," The Western Underwriter, October 26, 1916
- ^ Advertisement, Sheboygan Press, January 18, 1917
- ^ "Former Sheboygan Alderman Fred C. Haack is Laid to Rest," Sheboygan Press, August 4, 1944