Albert G. Schmedeman

Albert George Schmedeman (November 25, 1864 – November 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 solitary 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]

Albert G. Schmedeman
28th Governor of Wisconsin
In office
January 2, 1933 – January 7, 1935
LieutenantThomas J. O'Malley
Preceded byPhilip La Follette
Succeeded byPhilip La Follette
3rd United States Minister to Norway
In office
October 4, 1913 – July 29, 1921
PresidentWoodrow Wilson
Warren G. Harding
Preceded byLaurits S. Swenson
Succeeded byLaurits S. Swenson
41st Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin
In office
April 1925 – January 1, 1933
Preceded byIsaac Milo Kittleson
Succeeded byJames R. Law Jr.
Personal details
Born
Albert George Schmedeman

(1864-11-25)November 25, 1864
Madison, Wisconsin, US
DiedNovember 26, 1946(1946-11-26) (aged 82)
Madison, Wisconsin, US
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
  • Katherine Regan
  • (died 1948)
Children2
ProfessionPolitician, diplomat
Awards Order of St. Olav

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.

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 ISBN 978-1-107-09509-0
  2. Burnham, Walter Dean; 'The System of 1896: An Analysis'; in The Evolution of American Electoral Systems, pp. 178-179 ISBN 0313213798
  3. "Ex-Gov. Schmedeman Passes Away at His Home Today, Age 82". The Capital Times. November 26, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. Governor Albert G. Schmedeman. National Governor's Association.
  5. Woodrow Wilson – Acceptance Speech
  6. "Nowegian Order for Our Envoy". The New York Times. July 30, 1921. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  7. "A. G. Schmedeman, Ex-Diplomat, Dies; Former Governor of Wisconsin Served as U. S. Minister to Norway for 8 Years". The New York Times. November 27, 1946. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  8. "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". The New York Times. November 5, 1934. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
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