Washington Hesing
Washington Hesing (1849-1897) was an American newspaper editor and political figure primarily known for his ownership of the Illinois Staats-Zeitung and his term as Postmaster General of Chicago during the second term of President Grover Cleveland.
Washington Hesing | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Postmaster of Chicago | |
| In office 1893–1897 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 4, 1849 Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Died | December 17, 1897 (aged 48) Chicago, Illinois |
| Resting place | Saint Boniface Cemetery, Chicago |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican (1871-1880) Democratic (1880-1897) |
| Spouse(s) | Henrietta C. Weir |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Profession | Newspaper publisher |
| Signature |  |
Hesing was the son of newspaper publisher and former Sheriff of Cook County, Anton C. Hesing. He graduated from Yale University and later studied at the University of Berlin in his father's native Germany.
At the age of 22 he was appointed to the Chicago Board of Education but declined the offer of a second term from Mayor Joseph Medill. Initially an active Republican like his father and campaigner for President Grant, Hesing left the GOP and joined the Democratic Party in 1880. After his brief stint on the Board of Education, he became a full time editorial manager of the Staats-Zeitung under his father and editor-in-chief Hermann Raster.[1]
Hesing unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for mayor in 1893.
In 1897 Hesing unsuccessfully ran for mayor as an independent candidate.
Hessing was appointed Postmaster General of Chicago by President Cleveland in 1894. He left this post in the Spring of 1897 to campaign for the mayoral office again, but died that same December of heart disease.[2]
References
- A.T. Andreas, History of Chicago From the Earliest Period to the Present Time: Volume III: From the Fire of 1871 Until 1885. In Three Volumes. Chicago: A.T. Andreas Company, 1886; pg. 704.
- “Washington Hesing Stricken Suddenly With Heart Disease.” Los Angeles Herald, 19 Dec. 1897.