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.
