Frank X. Bauer
Socialist assemblyman and brewery worker from Milwaukee.
Frank X. Bauer was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria on October 4, 1862, and attended a local country school. He emigrated to the United States in 1888, settling directly in Milwaukee. Two years later, he began working for a brewery, spending the next 21 years as a bottled beer distributor. By 1919, he had been a member of Beer Drivers Union Local #72 for 27 years, and for four years served as secretary and business agent for three unions: the Beer Drivers, Chauffeurs and Stablemen's Union Local 72, the Engineers' and Firemen's Union Local 25, and the Maltsters Union Local 89. He also spent two years as alderman for Milwaukee's 19th Ward.
In 1918, Bauer was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly as a Socialist, representing the 15th Milwaukee County district (the 15th and 19th wards). He won with 1,958 votes, narrowly defeating incumbent Republican Theodore Engel (1,955 votes) and Democrat Leonard Broennen (1,371 votes). Bauer had lost to Engel in the 1916 election for the same seat. During his single term, he served on the standing committee on contingent expenditures. He did not seek reelection in 1920, and Engel succeeded him. Bauer died on December 28, 1922.
Quick Facts
- Office
- Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- Birth Date
- 1862-10-04
- Birth Place
- Kingdom of Bavaria
- Death Date
- 1922-12-28
- Term Start
- 1919
- Term End
- 1921
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Frank X. Bauer was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria on October 4, 1862, and educated in a country school near his home. He immigrated to America in 1888, going directly to Milwaukee. Two years later, he began working for a brewery and for 21 years served as a bottled beer distributor. By 1919, he had been a member of the Beer Drivers Union Local #72 for 27 years, and for four years had been secretary and business agent for three unions: Beer Drivers, Chauffeurs and Stablemen's Union Local 72, Engineers' and Firemen's Union Local 25, and Maltsters Union Local 89. He also served as alderman of the 19th Ward of the City of Milwaukee for two years.
Reader's Guide
Bauer's significance lies in his representation of working-class interests through both labor union leadership and electoral politics. Elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1918 as a Socialist, he defeated incumbent Republican Theodore Engel by a narrow margin of 1,958 to 1,955 votes, with Democrat Leonard Broennen receiving 1,371. His legislative assignment was to the standing committee on contingent expenditures. Bauer did not seek re-election in 1920, and Engel succeeded him. His career as a brewery worker and union official, combined with his single term in the Assembly, reflects the brief but notable presence of Socialist politicians from labor backgrounds in early 20th-century Wisconsin. His death on December 28, 1922, ended a life that spanned immigration, industrial labor, union organizing, and political service.
Did You Know?
- Frank X. Bauer was a bottled beer distributor for 21 years.
- He served as secretary and business agent for three different labor unions.
- He was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1918 by a margin of only 3 votes.
- Bauer was an alderman of the 19th Ward of Milwaukee for two years.
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