Albert G. Schmedeman

Albert George Schmedeman (November 25, 1864 – November 26, 1946) was a German American politician and diplomat. He was the 28th Governor of Wisconsin and was U.S. Minister to Norway during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson and during the negotiations ending World War I. He was Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin, for four terms, and, to date, is the only mayor of Madison to be elected Governor of Wisconsin.

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
3rd United States Minister to Norway
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 of Madison, Wisconsin
In office April 1925 – January 1, 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, US
Died	November 26, 1946(1946-11-26) (aged 82) Madison, Wisconsin, US
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Katherine Regan (died 1948)
Children	2
Profession	Politician, diplomat
Awards	Order of St. Olav

Biography

Schmedeman was born in Madison, Wisconsin,[1] 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.[2]

A Democrat, Schmedeman ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 1910 but lost to John M. Nelson. In 1913 he was appointed the United States Minister to Norway and held this position until 1921. During that time, Schmedeman accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of President Woodrow Wilson in 1919,[3] and was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olaf in 1921 by Haakon VII.[4]

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 by Philip La Follette, son of former governor Robert M. La Follette, Sr.

In 1934, while attending the dedication for Rib 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.[1][5][6]

After his service as governor concluded, Schmedeman went on to be named Federal Housing Administrator for Wisconsin by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a post that he held from 1935 until 1942.[1][2]

Schmedeman was fluent in German and also proficient in Norwegian.

References

1. "Ex-Gov. Schmedeman Passes Away at His Home Today, Age 82". The Capital Times. November 26, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
2. Governor Albert G. Schmedeman. National Governor's Association.
3. Woodrow Wilson – Acceptance Speech
4. "Nowegian Order for Our Envoy". The New York Times. July 30, 1921. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
5. "A. G. Schmedeman, Ex-Diplomat, Dies; Former Governor of Wisconsin Served as U. S. Minister to Norway for 8 Years". The New York Times. November 27, 1946. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
6. "Schmedeman Acts to Belie Whispers; He Enters Wisconsin Campaign Actively to Show He Is Not Incapacitated. His Leg Was Amputated No Ill Effects Apparent From Operation Month Ago—Three Parties Voice Optimism". The New York Times. November 5, 1934. Retrieved July 6, 2018.

External links

• Albert G. Schmedeman, Dictionary of Wisconsin History, Wisconsin State Historical Society
• Albert Schmedeman, Wisconsin History
• Albert George Schmedemann [sic] at the Office of the Historian website.

Party political offices
Preceded by Virgil H. Cady	Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin 1928	Succeeded by Charles E. Hammersley
Preceded by Charles E. Hammersley	Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin 1932, 1934	Succeeded by Arthur W. Lueck
Political offices
Preceded by Isaac Milo Kittleson	Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin 1925 – 1933	Succeeded by James R. Law, Jr.
Preceded by Philip La Follette	Governor of Wisconsin 1933 – 1935	Succeeded by Philip La Follette
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Laurits S. Swenson	United States Minister to Norway 1913 – 1921	Succeeded by Laurits S. Swenson