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Harold E. Hanson

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Harold E. Hanson
Interim Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin
In office
February 3, 1961 – April 18, 1961
Preceded byIvan A. Nestingen
Succeeded byHenry Edward Reynolds
City Attorney of Madison, Wisconsin
In office
May 2, 1938 – May 1, 1961
Preceded byDoris E. Lehner (acting)
Succeeded byAlton S. Heasler
Personal details
Born(1895-10-31)October 31, 1895
Stoughton, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedNovember 28, 1978(1978-11-28) (aged 83)
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeForest Hill Cemetery, Madison
Spouse
Alice Salsman
(m. 1923⁠–⁠1978)
Children
  • Harlan Philip Hanson (b. 1925, d. 1996); David John Hanson
  • (b. 1928, d. 1951); Carol Hanson Grisar (b. 1930, d. 2015).
Alma mater
ProfessionLawyer
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceWisconsin National Guard
Years of service1917–1918
Unit32nd Div. U.S. Infantry
Battles/warsWorld War I

Harold E. Hanson (October 31, 1895 – November 29, 1978) was an American lawyer from Madison, Wisconsin. He was the city attorney for 23 years (1938–1961), and served as interim mayor during 1961. He also served 11 years as an assistant U.S. attorney.

Biography

[edit]

Harold E. Hanson was born in Stoughton, Wisconsin, and attended Lawrence University, in Appleton, Wisconsin. While attending university, however, he chose to enlist in the Wisconsin National Guard for service in World War I. He served in a field hospital in France with the 32nd U.S. Infantry Division.[1]

After returning from the war, he completed his education at the University of Wisconsin Law School, graduating in 1922. Shortly after graduating he was appointed city attorney of his hometown, Stoughton. He was then hired as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, serving from 1927 until 1938.

In 1938, Madison, Wisconsin, city attorney Francis Lamb resigned his office due to poor health. The city council sought applicants to fill the position and ultimately received interest from 14 local attorneys. After an examination, Hanson topped a list of candidates.[2] The city council unanimously approved Hanson's selection in April 1938.[3]

Hanson ultimately served 23 years as city attorney. In 1961, Madison mayor Ivan A. Nestingen was appointed Undersecretary for the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, creating a vacancy in the mayor's office.[4] On February 3, 1961, Hanson was unanimously elected to serve as interim mayor. He served through the April 1961 election, and retired at the end of his 74-day term.[1]

He died at Veterans hospital in Madison on November 29, 1978.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Former city attorney, 74-day mayor dies". Wisconsin State Journal. November 29, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Hanson, Isaacson Lead in City Attorney Race". Wisconsin State Journal. April 9, 1938. p. 6. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Communities Shaken Up by Mayor Law". Wisconsin State Journal. April 23, 1938. p. 1. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Hanson May be Mayor in Interim". The Capital Times. January 27, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved January 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin
February 3, 1961 – April 18, 1961
Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by
Doris E. Lehner (acting)
City Attorney of Madison, Wisconsin
May 2, 1938 – May 1, 1961
Succeeded by
Alton S. Heasler