University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Maier, Henry W., 1918-1994.

Papers, [ca. 1936] -1948, 1990.

UWM Manuscript Collection 71

1 cubic ft. (1 oversize box, and 1 archives box)

ABSTRACT: Contains miscellaneous papers of Henry Maier, mayor of Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1960-1988, including family photos; high school assignments; clippings (from disbound scrapbooks) of his unsuccessful 1948 mayoral campaign, the New Milwaukee Committee (1947-1948), a citizens' planning group that studied the future of the city; an unpublished autobiography (ca. 1990); and undated newspaper quotes about Maier.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Henry W. Maier was born on 7 February 1918 in Dayton, Ohio, to Charles and Marie Nelke. His father died when Maier was eleven months old, and Henry took his stepfather's surname upon entering the University of Wisconsin (UW). Maier's maternal grandparents raised him in Springfield, Ohio. Maier's grandparents, supporters of Franklin Roosevelt, kindled his interest in politics and encouraged him to enter public life. He became active in the "Roosevelt for President" Club at the UW Extension in 1936, and also with the local Progressives and Socialists, and League for Liberal Action. For a period in 1940, Maier was a member of the "Willkie for President" Club, based on his anti-war feelings, but he eventually voted for Roosevelt.

Maier attended the UW Extension in Milwaukee from 1936-1938 and received a B.A from UW-Madison in 1940. After college, Maier worked for several insurance companies. A First Lieutenant (USNR) during World War II, Maier served as a supply officer on a destroyer in the Pacific. Following the war Maier returned to the insurance business and opened his own general agency, which he operated throughout his years in the legislature.

Following his return from World War II, Maier became increasingly active in Milwaukee politics. He ran for mayor in 1948, at the age of twenty-eight, and finished sixth of fifteen candidates. Maier became chairman of the First Ward Democratic Club and worked extensively with Andy Biemiller, Vi Lomoe, Dan Hoan, and others to strengthen the local Democratic Party. He was elected to the state legislature in 1950. Through the 1950s, Maier was active in developing the Democratic Party, fighting reapportionment, and assisting in creating the University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. He won his first mayoral election in 1960, defeating Henry Reuss. He received an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1964. Maier died in July 1994.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Maier, Henry, W., 1918-1994. Papers, [ca. 1936]-1948, 1990. UWM Manuscript Collection 71. Archives. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

Barbee, Lloyd A., 1925-2002. Papers, 1933-1982. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 16 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 42)

Friedrick, Jacob F., 1892-1978. Papers, 1931-1968. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection CT and Milwaukee Tape 1)

Maier, Henry, 1918- . Oral history interview, 1985. (Tape UC1030A)

Milwaukee Citizens for Equal Opportunity. Records, 1960-1966. (Milwaukee Micro Collection 16)

Milwaukee (Wis.). Mayor. Records of the Henry W. Maier administration, 1960-1988. (Milwaukee Series 44 and Milwaukee Tape 1235A)

Reuss, Henry S. Papers, 1839-1982. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 112)

Shoquist, Joseph William. Papers, 1952-1985. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 145)

University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. Milwaukee Urban Observatory. Records, 1965-1983. (UWM Archival Collection 73)

University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. Oral History Project. Records, 1981-1990. (UWM Archival Collection 16)

University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee. Peace Corps Training Center. Records, 1960-1970. (UWM Archival Collection 66)

ACQUISITION: Karen Lamb donated the collection to the Archives in 1995 (accession number 95-041). Michael Joyce donated additional materials (accession number 99-061) in 1999.

PROCESSING: Sarah Cervinski processed the collection at the Archives in February 1996. Jacqueline Frank processed the additions (accession number 99-061) in April 2003.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Mayors--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--Biography.
Mayors--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--Election.
Myers family.
New Milwaukee Committee.

UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 71	BOX	FOLDER
Aetna Course Certificate, 1941	1	1
Autobiography, Cities: Triumph and Trial, ca. 1990	2	1-6
Correspondence, 1990	2	7
Family Photographs, ca. 1940s [volume 1]	1
High School Assignments, ca. 1936	1	2
Mayoral Campaign, 1948	1	3-6
New Milwaukee Committee, Scrapbook, 1947-1948	1	7-9
Quotes, Maier, undated	2	8