Harold E. Hanson
{{Short description|20th century American lawyer and mayor}}
{{other people|Harold Hanson}}
{{infobox officeholder
|name = Harold E. Hanson
|office = Interim Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin
| term_start = February 3, 1961
| term_end = April 18, 1961
| predecessor = Ivan A. Nestingen
| successor = Henry Edward Reynolds
|office1 = City Attorney of Madison, Wisconsin
| term_start1 = May 2, 1938
| term_end1 = May 1, 1961
| predecessor1 = Doris E. Lehner (acting)
| successor1 = Alton S. Heasler
|birth_date = {{birth date|1895|10|31}}
|birth_place = Stoughton, Wisconsin, U.S.
|death_date = {{death date and age|1978|11|28|1895|10|31}}
|death_place = Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
|restingplace = Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison
|spouse = {{marriage|Alice Salsman|1923|1978}}
|children = {{unbulleted list
| Harlan Philip Hanson (b. 1925, d. 1996); David John Hanson
| (b. 1928, d. 1951); Carol Hanson Grisar (b. 1930, d. 2015).
}}
|alma_mater = {{unbulleted list
| University of Wisconsin Law School
}}
|profession = Lawyer
|allegiance = United States
|branch = Wisconsin National Guard
|serviceyears = 1917–1918
|unit = 32nd Div. U.S. Infantry
|battles = World War I
}}
Harold E. Hanson (October 31, 1895{{spaced ndash}}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
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.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115580498/harold-hanson-obit/ |title= Former city attorney, 74-day mayor dies |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= November 29, 1978 |page= 1 |accessdate= January 1, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }}
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.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115587414/madison-city-attorney/ |title= Hanson, Isaacson Lead in City Attorney Race |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= April 9, 1938 |page= 6 |accessdate= January 1, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }} The city council unanimously approved Hanson's selection in April 1938.{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115587641/city-attorney/ |title= Communities Shaken Up by Mayor Law |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= April 23, 1938 |page= 1 |accessdate= January 1, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }}
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.{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115588155/hanson-interim-mayor/ |title= Hanson May be Mayor in Interim |newspaper= The Capital Times |date= January 27, 1961 |page= 1 |accessdate= January 1, 2023 |via= Newspapers.com }} 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.
He died at Veterans hospital in Madison on November 29, 1978.
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before = Ivan A. Nestingen }}
{{s-ttl|title = Mayor of Madison, Wisconsin |years= February 3, 1961{{spaced ndash}}April 18, 1961 }}
{{s-aft|after = Henry Edward Reynolds }}
{{s-legal}}
{{s-bef|before = Doris E. Lehner (acting) }}
{{s-ttl|title = City Attorney of Madison, Wisconsin |years= May 2, 1938{{spaced ndash}}May 1, 1961 }}
{{s-aft|after = Alton S. Heasler }}
{{s-end}}
{{Mayors of Madison, Wisconsin}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hanson, Harold}}
Category:People from Stoughton, Wisconsin
Category:University of Wisconsin Law School alumni
Category:Mayors of Madison, Wisconsin
Category:Lawyers from Madison, Wisconsin