Summary Information
Henry W. Maier Papers
[circa 1936]-1948, 1990
- Maier, Henry W., 1918-1994
UWM Manuscript Collection 71
1 cubic ft. (2 boxes)
UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)
Contains miscellaneous papers of Henry Maier, mayor of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1960-1988, including family photos; high school assignments;
clippings (from disbound scrapbooks) of his unsuccessful 1948 mayoral campaign, the New
Milwaukee Committee (1947-1948), a citizens' planning group that studied the future of the
city; an unpublished autobiography (ca. 1990); and undated newspaper quotes about
Maier.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0071 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Henry W. Maier was born on 7 February 1918 in Dayton, Ohio, to Charles and Marie Nelke. His
father died when Maier was eleven months old, and Henry took his stepfather's surname upon
entering the University of Wisconsin (UW). Maier's maternal grandparents raised him in
Springfield, Ohio. Maier's grandparents, supporters of Franklin Roosevelt, kindled his
interest in politics and encouraged him to enter public life. He became active in the
"Roosevelt for President" Club at the UW Extension in 1936, and also with the local
Progressives and Socialists, and League for Liberal Action. For a period in 1940, Maier was
a member of the "Willkie for President" Club, based on his anti-war feelings, but he
eventually voted for Roosevelt.
Maier attended the UW Extension in Milwaukee from 1936-1938 and received a B.A. from
UW-Madison in 1940. After college, Maier worked for several insurance companies. A First
Lieutenant (USNR) during World War II, Maier served as a supply officer on a destroyer in
the Pacific. Following the war Maier returned to the insurance business and opened his own
general agency, which he operated throughout his years in the legislature.
Following his return from World War II, Maier became increasingly active in Milwaukee
politics. He ran for mayor in 1948, at the age of twenty-eight, and finished sixth of
fifteen candidates. Maier became chairman of the First Ward Democratic Club and worked
extensively with Andy Biemiller, Vi Lomoe, Dan Hoan, and others to strengthen the local
Democratic Party. He was elected to the state legislature in 1950. Through the 1950s, Maier
was active in developing the Democratic Party, fighting reapportionment, and assisting in
creating the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He won his first mayoral election in 1960,
defeating Henry Reuss. He received an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in
1964. Maier died in July 1994.
Preferred Citation
Citation Guide for
Primary Sources
Related Material in the UWM Libraries
Administrative/Restriction Information
There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all
members of the public in accordance with state law.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel,
privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin
Statutes 19.21-19.39).
Karen Lamb donated the collection to the Archives in 1995 (accession 1995-041). Michael
Joyce donated additional materials (accession 1999-061) in 1999.
Sarah Cervinski processed the collection at the Archives in February 1996. Jacqueline
Frank processed the additions (accession 1999-061) in April 2003.
Contents List
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Box
1
Folder
1
|
Aetna Course Certificate, 1941
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|
|
Box
2
Folder
1-6
|
Autobiography, Cities: Triumph and Trial, circa
1990
|
|
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Box
2
Folder
7
|
Correspondence, 1990
|
|
|
Box
1
Volume
1
|
Family Photographs, circa 1940s
|
|
|
Box
1
Folder
2
|
High School Assignments, circa 1936
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|
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Box
1
Folder
3-6
|
Mayoral Campaign, 1948
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|
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Box
1
Folder
7-9
|
New Milwaukee Committee, Scrapbook, 1947-1948
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Box
2
Folder
8
|
Quotes, Maier, undated
|
|
|
