Edward F. Hilker (April 13, 1881 – March 4, 1949) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

politician. He served six years in the Wisconsin State Senate and ten years in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Biography

Hilker was born April 13, 1881, in

Racine, Wisconsin Racine ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River. Racine is situated 22 miles (35 km) south of Milwaukee and approximately 60 ...

, to Adolph and Carline Hilker. His father was a pioneer brick manufacturer in Racine. In 1898, at age 17, he volunteered for service in the Spanish–American War and was enlisted as a Private in Company M, 1st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The war ended before his regiment saw any combat and he mustered out the same year. He married Anne Deschler on November 11, 1899, and together they had one daughter, Grace. Hilker worked in the candy wholesale business, as a coal broker, and in sales promotion. He was a member of the United Spanish War Veterans, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the

Knights of Pythias The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded in Washington, D.C., on . The Knights of Pythias is the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded ...

Political career

In 1916, Hilker was elected Alderman for the 8th ward on the Racine City Council. He was re-elected six times, and served on the City Council until 1930. In 1924, Hilker was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly for the Racine 2nd District. He was re-elected in 1926, 1928, and 1930. He ran for re-election again in 1932, but was defeated by former assemblyman, Democrat Joseph C. Hamata. Hilker remained active in politics and was a delegate to the

1936 Republican National Convention The 1936 Republican National Convention was held June 9–12 at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio. It nominated Governor Alfred Landon of Kansas for president and Frank Knox of Illinois for vice president. The convention supported many N ...

. In 1940, he reclaimed his former Assembly seat, defeating incumbent Wisconsin Progressive assemblyman Jack Harvey. In 1942, he was elected to the Wisconsin Senate in the 21st District, representing all of

Racine County Racine County (, sometimes also ) is a county in southeastern Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, its population was 197,727, making it Wisconsin's fifth-most populous county. Its county seat is Racine. The county was founded in 1836, then a par ...

. He was a delegate, again, to the

1944 Republican National Convention The 1944 Republican National Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois, from June 26 to 28, 1944. It nominated Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York for president and Governor John Bricker of Ohio for vice president. Background When the conve ...

. He was re-elected to the senate in 1946, but died before the end of his second term.

Death

For years before his death, Hilker struggled with a diabetic condition. In early 1949, he was hospitalized at the

Wisconsin General Hospital UW Health University Hospital (UW Health, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics or UWHC) is a 515-bed academic regional referral center with 127 outpatient clinics, located on the western edge of the University of Wisconsin–Madison's camp ...

in Madison, Wisconsin. He deteriorated over several weeks until his death on March 4, 1949, with his wife and daughter were by his bedside. His funeral was held at the Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Racine. It was attended by many Wisconsin legislators, including pallbearers senators

Bernhard Gettelman Bernhard "Benny" Gettelman (December 23, 1889August 30, 1965) was an American Republican politician. He served 27 years in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing Milwaukee, and earlier served one term in the State Assembly. Biography Gettel ...

, Chester Dempsey, J. Earl Leverich, Taylor G. Brown, and Everett F. LaFond, and assemblyman Fred Pfennig. He was laid to rest at Mound Cemetery in Racine, less than half a mile from his former home.

Electoral history

Wisconsin Assembly (1924-1932)

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Wisconsin Assembly (1940)

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Wisconsin Senate (1942-1946)

References

External links

The Political Graveyard
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hilker, Edward Wisconsin city council members Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly Republican Party Wisconsin state senators Businesspeople from Racine, Wisconsin Politicians from Racine, Wisconsin Military personnel from Wisconsin 1881 births 1949 deaths 20th-century American legislators 20th-century American businesspeople American military personnel of the Spanish–American War United States Army soldiers 20th-century Wisconsin politicians