Title: Emil Seidel Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1916, 1938-1944

Creator:

• Seidel, Emil, 1864-1947

Call Number: Milwaukee Mss G; Micro 340

Quantity: 0.4 cubic feet (1 archives box) and 1 reel of microfilm (35mm)

Repository:

Housed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries’ Archives Department / Milwaukee Area Research Center; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

A 1938 autobiography of a Milwaukee mayor and leader of the Socialist Party, composed of two manuscript volumes, fragmentary correspondence, clippings, speeches, and genealogical notes.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mil0000g

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Born in Ashland, Pennsylvania, Emil Seidel moved, with his family, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1869. Later, while studying woodcarving in Germany for six years, he embraced the cause of socialism. Returning to Milwaukee he helped organize the Social Democratic party, emphasizing gradual democratic reform. In 1904 the party was able to elect nine aldermen, among them, Seidel.

Emil Seidel was defeated in his bid to become mayor in 1908, and was elected an alderman again the following year. In 1910 he became the first socialist mayor in a major American city, when the Social Democratic party swept the Milwaukee city and county offices. Although defeated as mayor in 1912, he was Eugene V. Debs' vice-presidential running mate that same year. From 1916 to 1920, and from 1932 to 1936, he again served as an alderman.

As both mayor and alderman, Seidel was charged with sectarianism and increased spending; but he, himself, always stood for honesty and efficiency. He was outspoken in his advocacy of public ownership and planning, and in his criticism of America's entry into World War I.

This small collection represents, chiefly, the manuscript for an autobiography written by Emil Seidel in 1938. The biography is in two volumes, organized in three parts, with the second volume dealing with his career as a socialist reformer in Milwaukee. Volume 2, Part III of the Autobiography is also available on microfilm.

The papers also contain fragmentary correspondence, a few clippings in which reference is made to Seidel and Wisconsin socialists, a short speech, random notes, and some genealogical information concerning Emil Seidel's family.

Socialism in Milwaukee and the Emil Seidel Collections available online through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

Sketches from My Life / By Emil Seidel also available online through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Mrs. Viola Verheim, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, August 10, 1960.

Processing Information

Processed by Margaret R. Hafstad, July 17, 1964.

Milwaukee Mss G Box   1 Folder   1	Correspondence, 1916, 1944
Box   1 Folder   2	Clippings, 1944, undated
Box   1 Folder   3	Short Speech and Random Notes, undated
Box   1 Folder   4	Genealogical Information Concerning Seidel, 1884, undated
	"Sketches from My Life" : autobiography / by Emil Seidel, 1864-1891 Alternate Format: Also available on microfilm (Micro 340)
Box   1 Volume   1	[Part One] Alternate Format: Available online.
Box   1 Volume   1	They Kingdom Come, Part Two Alternate Format: Available online.
Box   1 Volume   2	They Kingdom Come, Part Three Alternate Format: Available online.