Ninth Mayor of Milwaukee. Originally a shopkeeper in his home state of New York, he moved to Milwaukee with his young wife in 1844 and opened a successful dry goods business. This allowed him to retire in 1850 and pursue a career in politics. He first became the Sheriff of Milwaukee County in 1853 and was re-elected three times. He started the first detective force in the city and made the police in Milwaukee into a uniformed service. He was an abolitionist, yet became a Democrat to pursue higher office. He was elected Mayor in 1859 and promoted the education system and the police during his one term in office. From 1862 to 1863, he served as the city's police chief and was chosen as a Lieutenant Colonel to raise the 24th Infantry Division during the Civil War, though he did not lead the division into action. He became wealthy through insurance and real estate work, which allowed him to travel. While on his annual European trip, he fell sick and died in Dresden and was buried there per his wish.
Ninth Mayor of Milwaukee. Originally a shopkeeper in his home state of New York, he moved to Milwaukee with his young wife in 1844 and opened a successful dry goods business. This allowed him to retire in 1850 and pursue a career in politics. He first became the Sheriff of Milwaukee County in 1853 and was re-elected three times. He started the first detective force in the city and made the police in Milwaukee into a uniformed service. He was an abolitionist, yet became a Democrat to pursue higher office. He was elected Mayor in 1859 and promoted the education system and the police during his one term in office. From 1862 to 1863, he served as the city's police chief and was chosen as a Lieutenant Colonel to raise the 24th Infantry Division during the Civil War, though he did not lead the division into action. He became wealthy through insurance and real estate work, which allowed him to travel. While on his annual European trip, he fell sick and died in Dresden and was buried there per his wish.
Bio by: Kenneth Gilbert
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