August Strehlow (31 January 1867 - 23 December 1943) was born in Stettin, Germany
(now Szczecin, Poland) and came to Milwaukee with his parents at age 14. He was
educated in the Milwaukee Public Schools and became a house painter and hardwood
finisher in 1903. He became a contractor and stayed in the business until 1928.
Strehlow, a Socialist, first unsuccessfully ran for public office in the state
assembly in 1902. He ran again in 1904 and was elected. After serving one term in
the state assembly, he ran for city alderman for the 20th ward in 1906 and was
re-elected each term until 1916. Although he did not run that term, his successor
resigned after only a few months and Strehlow returned to the office. He was again
re-elected in 1920, 1924, 1932 and 1936. The 20th ward was one of the state’s
largest districts and was eventually divided into three wards, the 20th, 26th and
9th. The first public natatorium and first playground in the city were built in his
district.
Strehlow married his wife, Helen (17 January 1870 – 22 March 1948), a native
Milwaukeean, on 8 June 1889; they were married for over 50 years. They had two sons,
George and August, and a daughter, Helen.
