Edward F. Hilker

Edward F. Hilker (April 13, 1881 March 4, 1949)[1] was an American politician. He served six years in the Wisconsin State Senate and ten years in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Edward F. Hilker
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 21st district
In office
January 12, 1943  March 4, 1949
Preceded byKenneth L. Greenquist
Succeeded byGerald T. Flynn
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Racine 2nd district
In office
January 8, 1941  January 12, 1943
Preceded byJack Harvey
Succeeded byWillis Frazell
In office
January 14, 1924  January 11, 1933
Preceded byJacob Stoffel Jr.
Succeeded byJoseph C. Hamata
Member of the Racine City Council
In office
1916–1930
Personal details
Born(1881-04-13)April 13, 1881
Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedMarch 4, 1949(1949-03-04) (aged 67)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeMound Cemetery, Racine
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Anne Deschler
ChildrenGrace (Wabakkan)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1898
RankPrivate, USV
Unit1st Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry
Battles/warsSpanish–American War

Biography

Hilker was born April 13, 1881, in Racine, Wisconsin, 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.[2]

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.

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. He was a delegate, again, to the 1944 Republican National Convention. 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 in Madison, Wisconsin. He deteriorated over several weeks until his death on March 4, 1949, with his wife and daughter were by his bedside.[3]

His funeral was held at the Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Racine. It was attended by many Wisconsin legislators, including pallbearers senators Bernhard Gettelman, 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.[2]

Electoral History

Wisconsin Assembly (1924-1932)

Wisconsin Assembly, Racine 2nd District Election, 1924
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Edward F. Hilker 5,412 81.84%
Democratic Ernest Anheuser 1,201 18.16%
Socialist Lars P. Christiansen
Total votes '6,613' '100.0%'
Republican hold
Wisconsin Assembly, Racine 2nd District Election, 1926
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Edward F. Hilker (incumbent) 4,984 90.97% +9.13%
Socialist Lars P. Christiansen 495 9.03%
Total votes '5,479' '100.0%'
Republican hold
Wisconsin Assembly, Racine 2nd District Election, 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Edward F. Hilker (incumbent) 8,189 100.0% +9.03%
Total votes '8,189' '100.0%'
Republican hold
Wisconsin Assembly, Racine 2nd District Election, 1930
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election
Republican Edward F. Hilker (incumbent) 3,964 61.64%
Republican Lawrence A. Brown, Jr. 2,412 37.51%
Socialist Joseph Becker 55 0.86%
Total votes '6,431' '100.0%'
General Election
Republican Edward F. Hilker (incumbent) 4,327 63.43% -36.57%
Republican Lawrence A. Brown, Jr. 1,671 24.49%
Socialist Joseph Becker 824 12.08%
Total votes '6,822' '100.0%'
Republican hold
Wisconsin Assembly, Racine 2nd District Election, 1932
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election
Republican Edward F. Hilker (incumbent) 2,214 24.83%
Republican Mr. Porter 1,899 21.30%
Republican Mr. Ahlgrimm 1,752 19.65%
Republican Mr. Windstrup 1,080 12.11%
Socialist John Duller 754 8.46%
Democratic Joseph C. Hamata 686 7.69%
Democratic Mr. Schowalter 532 5.97%
Total votes '8,917' '100.0%'
General Election
Democratic Joseph C. Hamata 5,794 48.98%
Republican Edward F. Hilker (incumbent) 4,798 40.56% -22.87%
Socialist John Duller 1,186 10.03%
Independent Ransom DeFaut 51 0.43%
Total votes '11,829' '100.0%'
Democratic gain from Republican

Wisconsin Assembly (1940)

Wisconsin Assembly, Racine 2nd District Election, 1940
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election
Progressive Jack Harvey (incumbent) 1,862 23.59%
Republican Edward F. Hilker 1,823 23.10%
Republican Mr. Nelson 1,162 14.72%
Democratic Philip M. Geyer 1,027 13.01%
Republican Mr. White 1,018 12.90%
Democratic Mr. Rogan 1,000 12.67%
Total votes '7,892' '100.0%'
General Election
Republican Edward F. Hilker 5,878 41.92%
Progressive Jack Harvey (incumbent) 5,652 40.31%
Democratic Philip M. Geyer 2,493 17.78%
Total votes '14,023' '100.0%'
Republican gain from Progressive

Wisconsin Senate (1942-1946)

Wisconsin Senate 21st District Election, 1942
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election
Republican Edward F. Hilker 7,067 68.10%
Democratic William J. Swoboda 2,444 23.55%
Progressive Martin H. Herzog 865 8.34%
Socialist Mr. Dadian 1 0.01%
Total votes '7,892' '100.0%'
General Election
Republican Edward F. Hilker 11,942 46.78%
Progressive Martin H. Herzog 7,197 28.19%
Democratic William J. Swoboda 6,390 25.03%
Total votes '25,529' '100.0%'
Republican gain from Progressive
Wisconsin Senate 21st District Election, 1946
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Primary Election
Republican Edward F. Hilker (incumbent) 4,952 34.44%
Republican Mr. Harvey 3,863 26.87%
Democratic Arthur E. Rohan 2,120 14.74%
Democratic Mr. Gorsky 1,830 12.73%
Republican Mr. Southey 1,601 11.14%
Socialist Victor Cooks 12 0.08%
Total votes '14,378' '100.0%'
General Election
Republican Edward F. Hilker (incumbent) 18,909 55.66% +8.89%
Democratic Arthur E. Rohan 14,661 43.16%
Socialist Victor Cooks 400 1.18%
Total votes '33,970' '100.0%' +33.06%
Republican hold

References

  1. Wisconsin Blue Book, 1950. Wisconsin: Legislative Reference Bureau. 1950. p. 33.
  2. "Hilker Funeral On Wednesday". Madison, Wisconsin: Racine Journal Times. 1949-03-07.
  3. "Sen. Hilker Dies, Aged 67". Racine Journal Times. 1949-03-05.
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