Albert G. Schmedeman Explained

Albert G. Schmedeman
Order:28th
Office:Governor of Wisconsin
Term Start:January 2, 1933
Term End:January 7, 1935
Lieutenant:Thomas J. O'Malley
Predecessor:Philip La Follette
Successor:Philip La Follette
Order1:3rd
Minister From1:United States
Country1:Norway
Term Start1:October 4, 1913
Term End1:July 29, 1921
President1:Woodrow Wilson
Warren G. Harding
Predecessor1:Laurits S. Swenson
Successor1:Laurits S. Swenson
Order2:41st
Title2:Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin
Term Start2:April 1925
Term End2:January 1, 1933
Predecessor2:Isaac Milo Kittleson
Successor2:James R. Law Jr.
Party:Democratic
Birth Name:Albert George Schmedeman
Birth Date:November 25, 1864
Birth Place:Madison, Wisconsin, US
Death Place:Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Restingplace:Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison
Awards: Order of St. Olav
Children:2
Profession:Politician, diplomat

Albert George Schmedeman (November 25, 1864November 26, 1946) was a German American politician and diplomat. He was the 28th governor of Wisconsin and was U.S. Minister to Norway during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson and during the negotiations ending World War I. He was mayor of Madison, Wisconsin, for four terms, and, to date, is the only mayor of Madison to be elected governor of Wisconsin. He was the only Democratic governor of Wisconsin between 1895 and 1959, a period when Wisconsin was more often than not essentially a one-party Republican state[1] where third parties often provided stronger opposition than did the Democratic Party.[2]

Biography

Schmedeman was born in Madison, Wisconsin,[3] the son of Heinrich Schmedeman, a "Forty-Eighter" from Germany. Albert Schmedeman was elected to the Madison City Council in 1904, serving for four years. He also served the community as fire and police commissioner, and as a member of the local board of education.[4]

A Democrat, Schmedeman ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 1910 but lost to John M. Nelson. In 1913 he was appointed the United States Minister to Norway and held this position until 1921. During that time, Schmedeman accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of President Woodrow Wilson in 1919,[5] and was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olaf in 1921 by Haakon VII.[6]

After concluding his service as Minister to Norway, Schmedeman planned to retire from politics, but was, instead, elected mayor of Madison, serving from 1926 to 1932. In 1932 he was elected Governor of Wisconsin and served from 1933 to 1935. His term was both preceded and succeeded by Philip La Follette, son of former governor Robert M. La Follette Sr.

In 1934, while attending the dedication for Rib Mountain State Park and campaigning for a second term, Schmedeman slipped on some loose rock and injured his foot. Gangrene developed, necessitating the amputation of his leg.[3] [7] [8]

After his service as governor concluded, Schmedeman went on to be named Federal Housing Administrator for Wisconsin by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a post that he held from 1935 until 1942.[3] [4]

Schmedeman was fluent in German and also proficient in Norwegian.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Hansen, John Mark; Shigeo Hirano, and Snyder, James M. Jr.; 'Parties within Parties: Parties, Factions, and Coordinated Politics, 1900-1980'; in Gerber, Alan S. and Schickler, Eric; Governing in a Polarized Age: Elections, Parties, and Political Representation in America, pp. 165-168
  2. Burnham, Walter Dean; 'The System of 1896: An Analysis'; in The Evolution of American Electoral Systems, pp. 178-179
  3. News: Ex-Gov. Schmedeman Passes Away at His Home Today, Age 82 . The Capital Times . November 26, 1946 . 1 . . July 21, 2020.
  4. https://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_wisconsin/col2-content/main-content-list/title_schmedeman_albert.html Governor Albert G. Schmedeman
  5. http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1919/wilson-acceptance.html Woodrow Wilson – Acceptance Speech
  6. News: Nowegian Order for Our Envoy. . July 30, 1921 . The New York Times . July 6, 2018 . en.
  7. News: A. G. Schmedeman, Ex-Diplomat, Dies; Former Governor of Wisconsin Served as U. S. Minister to Norway for 8 Years . November 27, 1946 . The New York Times . July 6, 2018 . en.
  8. News: Schmedeman Acts to Belie Whispers; He Enters Wisconsin Campaign Actively to Show He Is Not Incapacitated. His Leg Was Amputated No Ill Effects Apparent From Operation Month Ago—Three Parties Voice Optimism . November 5, 1934 . The New York Times . July 6, 2018 . en-US.