Albert G. Schmedeman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 28th Governor of Wisconsin | |
| In office January 2, 1933 – January 7, 1935 | |
| Lieutenant | Thomas J. O'Malley |
| Preceded by | Philip La Follette |
| Succeeded by | Philip La Follette |
| 4thUnited States Minister toNorway | |
| In office October 4, 1913 – July 29, 1921 | |
| President | Woodrow Wilson Warren G. Harding |
| Preceded by | Laurits S. Swenson |
| Succeeded by | Laurits S. Swenson |
| 41st Mayor ofMadison, Wisconsin | |
| In office April 1925 – January 2, 1933 | |
| Preceded by | Isaac Milo Kittleson |
| Succeeded by | James R. Law Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Albert George Schmedeman (1864-11-25)November 25, 1864 Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | November 26, 1946(1946-11-26) (aged 82) Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2 |
| Awards |  Order of St. Olav |
Albert George Schmedeman (November 25, 1864 – November 26, 1946) was aGerman American politician and diplomat. He was the 28thgovernor of Wisconsin and wasU.S. Minister to Norway during the presidency ofWoodrow Wilson and during the negotiations endingWorld War I. He was mayor ofMadison, Wisconsin, for four terms, and, to date, is the only mayor of Madison to be elected governor of Wisconsin. He was the only 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]
Schmedeman was born inMadison, 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]
ADemocrat, Schmedeman ran for a seat in theUnited States House of Representatives in1910, but lost toJohn M. Nelson. In 1913 he was appointed the United States Minister toNorway and held this position until 1921. During that time, Schmedeman accepted theNobel Peace Prize on behalf of PresidentWoodrow Wilson in 1919,[5] and was awarded the Grand Cross of theOrder of St. Olaf in 1921 byHaakon 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 byPhilip La Follette, son of former governorRobert M. La Follette Sr.
In 1934, while attending the dedication forRib 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 PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt, a post that he held from 1935 until 1942 he died in Madison on November 26 1946 at age 82.[3][4]
Schmedeman was fluent in German and also proficient inNorwegian.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Wisconsin 1928 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forGovernor of Wisconsin 1932,1934 | Succeeded by Arthur W. Lueck |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Mayor of Madison 1925 – 1933 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Governor of Wisconsin 1933 – 1935 | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | United States Minister to Norway 1913 – 1921 | Succeeded by |
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