Harry H. Semrow | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Cook County Board of Appeals | |
| In office December 1970 – November 23, 1987 | |
| Succeeded by | Thomas A. Jaconetty[1] |
| Member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners from Chicago | |
| In office December 1966 – 1970 | |
| Postmaster of Chicago | |
| In office November 2, 1961 – 1966 (acting postmaster from November November 2, 1961–October 5, 1962) | |
| Appointed by | John F. Kennedy |
| Preceded by | Carl A. Shroeder |
| Succeeded by | William Bochelli |
| Member of theIllinois House of Representatives from the14th district | |
| In office 1957–1961 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Died | November 23, 1987 (age 72) Chicago, Illinois |
| Party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Chicago, Illinois |
| Alma mater | American Conservatory of Music |
| Profession | Politician, businessman, baseball team owner |
Harry H. Semrow (August 19, 1915 – November 23, 1987) was an American politician, businessman, baseball team owner.
From 1957 until 1961, Semrow served in theIllinois House of Representatives as aDemocrat. In 1961, PresidentJohn F. Kennedy appointed Semrowpostmaster of Chicago and he served until 1966. From 1966 to 1970, Semrow served on theCook County Board of Commissioners. From 1970 until his death, Semrow served on theCook County Board of Appeals. Semrow also owned the radio station AM 1590WNMP and theQuad Cities Angels baseball team.
Semrow was born inChicago, Illinois,[2] Semrow served in theUnited States Navy duringWorld War II and studied at theAmerican Conservatory of Music.[3]
Semrow owned the radio station AM 1590WNMP inEvanston, Illinois[3] through his company Semrow Broadcasting.[4]
In 1986, he became the owner of theQuad Cities Angels baseball team inDavenport, Iowa. He was considered to be a well-known political figure in Chicago.[3]
A member of theDemocratic Party, Semrow held several elected positions and also served in the appointed position ofpostmaster ofChicago.
From 1957 until 1961, Sermon served as a Democratic member of theIllinois House of Representatives,[3] representing the14th district.[5] He was first elected in 1956.[3]
In his first term, he was a prominent advocate for a bill to require resuscitators in allhospitals, which passed in the state house by a unanimous 115–0 vote. In the state house, Semrow attempted to pass a ban onsparklers, bringing an 11-year-old girl that had been blinded by a sparkler to the floor of the state house in order to advocate for a ban. He also established himself as an advocate on behalf of thedisabled andmentally ill.[3]
In order to assume the office, Semrow resigned from Illinois House of Representatives,[3][4] as well as his private sector positions as president of Sermon Products and Sermon Broadcasting Company.[4]
Semrow was nominated in October 1961 to serve as the acting postmaster of Chicago, which would have him oversee what was, at the time, the second-largest post office in the United States.[5] He was sworn in and took office on November 2, 1961.[4][6] In his first year, Semrow reported reducing expenses for the post office by roughly $3 million while seeing a 4.7% increase in male handled.[3] As acting postmaster, Semrow also created a post office musical band, employee welfare committee, as well as employee baseball, baseball, bowling, and basketball teams. He also created a bonding policy that allowed businesses to purchasepostage stamps utilizing standard bank checks if they first posted an indemnity bond.[4]
Semrow was nominated by PresidentJohn F. Kennedy to serve as the permanent postmaster of Chicago. He was confirmed by theUnited States Senate on October 5, 1962.[4] Semrow held the position until he resigned in 1966.[3]
In 1966, Semrow was elected to theCook County Board of Commissioners, the legislature of theCook County government. However, he was defeated by RepublicanRichard B. Ogilvie in the coinciding election forpresident of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, in which he was also a candidate.[3]
In 1970, Semrow resigned from the Cook County Board of Commissioners and ran for theCook County Board of Appeals, the county's tax appeals board. He won election, and served until his death, being reelected in 1974, 1978, 1982, and1986.[3]
Semrow died at the age of 72 on November 23, 1987, at his personal residence in theEdgebrook neighborhood of Chicago.[3]