Emil Seidel was the son of Otto Seidel and Henrietta (nee Knoll) Seidel. He dropped out of school at age 13 to become a woodcarver. He went to live in Germany for several years to improve his skills. He became an advocate of socialism during is time abroad.
After returning to the US, he belonged to several socialist political parties. He served 2 terms as a Milwaukee city alderman starting in 1904. His first mayoral run in 1908 was not successful. After another stint as an alderman Seidel was elected mayor in 1910, becoming the first Socialist mayor in the US. His contributions include establishing the city park system, fire and police commission, and public works department. He also shut down gambling casinos and houses of prostitution. His bid for re-election in 1912 failed, primarily because the Republicans and Democrats ran a single candidate against him.
The rest of Seidel's political career consisted of being the running mate of socialist presidential candidate Eugene Debbs in 1912, a 1932 senate race, and some additional time as a Milwaukee alderman.
From the mid 1930s until his death, he composed music, wrote poetry, and painted. His burial site remained unknown and unmarked for 70 years. A ceremony was held on June 24th, 2017 to place a marker at his gravesite.
After returning to the US, he belonged to several socialist political parties. He served 2 terms as a Milwaukee city alderman starting in 1904. His first mayoral run in 1908 was not successful. After another stint as an alderman Seidel was elected mayor in 1910, becoming the first Socialist mayor in the US. His contributions include establishing the city park system, fire and police commission, and public works department. He also shut down gambling casinos and houses of prostitution. His bid for re-election in 1912 failed, primarily because the Republicans and Democrats ran a single candidate against him.
The rest of Seidel's political career consisted of being the running mate of socialist presidential candidate Eugene Debbs in 1912, a 1932 senate race, and some additional time as a Milwaukee alderman.
From the mid 1930s until his death, he composed music, wrote poetry, and painted. His burial site remained unknown and unmarked for 70 years. A ceremony was held on June 24th, 2017 to place a marker at his gravesite.
Emil Seidel was the son of Otto Seidel and Henrietta (nee Knoll) Seidel. He dropped out of school at age 13 to become a woodcarver. He went to live in Germany for several years to improve his skills. He became an advocate of socialism during is time abroad.
After returning to the US, he belonged to several socialist political parties. He served 2 terms as a Milwaukee city alderman starting in 1904. His first mayoral run in 1908 was not successful. After another stint as an alderman Seidel was elected mayor in 1910, becoming the first Socialist mayor in the US. His contributions include establishing the city park system, fire and police commission, and public works department. He also shut down gambling casinos and houses of prostitution. His bid for re-election in 1912 failed, primarily because the Republicans and Democrats ran a single candidate against him.
The rest of Seidel's political career consisted of being the running mate of socialist presidential candidate Eugene Debbs in 1912, a 1932 senate race, and some additional time as a Milwaukee alderman.
From the mid 1930s until his death, he composed music, wrote poetry, and painted. His burial site remained unknown and unmarked for 70 years. A ceremony was held on June 24th, 2017 to place a marker at his gravesite.
After returning to the US, he belonged to several socialist political parties. He served 2 terms as a Milwaukee city alderman starting in 1904. His first mayoral run in 1908 was not successful. After another stint as an alderman Seidel was elected mayor in 1910, becoming the first Socialist mayor in the US. His contributions include establishing the city park system, fire and police commission, and public works department. He also shut down gambling casinos and houses of prostitution. His bid for re-election in 1912 failed, primarily because the Republicans and Democrats ran a single candidate against him.
The rest of Seidel's political career consisted of being the running mate of socialist presidential candidate Eugene Debbs in 1912, a 1932 senate race, and some additional time as a Milwaukee alderman.
From the mid 1930s until his death, he composed music, wrote poetry, and painted. His burial site remained unknown and unmarked for 70 years. A ceremony was held on June 24th, 2017 to place a marker at his gravesite.
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