Nelson G. Kraschel
American politician (1889-1957)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nelson George Kraschel (October 27, 1889 – March 15, 1957) was an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 27th Governor of Iowa from 1937 to 1939.[1][2][3]
Nelson George Kraschel | |
|---|---|
| |
| 27th Governor of Iowa | |
| In office January 14, 1937 – January 12, 1939 | |
| Lieutenant | John K. Valentine |
| Preceded by | Clyde L. Herring |
| Succeeded by | George A. Wilson |
| 27th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa | |
| In office January 12, 1933 – January 14, 1937 | |
| Governor | Clyde L. Herring |
| Preceded by | Arch W. McFarlane |
| Succeeded by | John K. Valentine |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 27, 1889 Macon, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | March 15, 1957 (aged 67) Harlan, Iowa, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Agnes Johnson |
| Children | 4 |
Early life
He was born on a farm near Macon, Illinois, in 1889, the son of Fred K. Kraschel and Nancy Jane (Poe) Kraschel.[1][2][3] He farmed from 1906 to 1909, then moved to Harlan in 1910 to become an auctioneer.[3] He farmed and raised livestock.[1][2][3] From 1910 to 1930 Kraschel was a livestock auctioneer.[1][2][3]
In 1913, he married schoolteacher Agnes Johnson.[3] They had three sons and adopted a daughter.[3]
Political career
Early campaigns
In 1922, Kraschel ran for election to the 18th district in the Iowa Senate.[4] He ran against Republican Julius A. Nelson.[4] Nelson won with 6,472 votes against Kraschel's 4,749 votes.[4]
In 1932, he lost the primary for the US Senate to Louis Murphy, among others in a crowded primary.[3][5] Murphy won over 51,000 votes while Kraschel won only just over 18,000 votes.[5]
Lieutenant Governor of iowa
In 1932, he was the Democratic Party candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Iowa as Clyde L. Herring's running mate.[1][2][3] He won the election and was re-elected in 1934.[1][2][3]
Governor of Iowa
He was elected governor in 1936, by less than 2,431 votes.[3][6] He was the 27th Governor of Iowa from 1937 to 1939.[1][2][3]
As governor, Kraschel oversaw the institute of a new social welfare board and he vetoed a farm to market road bill.[1][3]
Kraschel helped to get passed the Homestead Tax Exemption Act, which reduced taxes on citizens by up to $2500.[3] In January 1937, attempted to extend farm debt moratoriums to save farmer's houses due to drought. But the state legislature rejected the extension, letting the previous law expire.[3]
In 1938 Kraschel faced George A. Wilson. He lost by 59,282 votes.[3][7]
In 1942, he made another, and final, unsuccessful bid for governor.[3][8]
Maytag Strike
On July 21, 1938, Kraschel sent the Iowa National Guard to assist at the Maytag Plant in Newton, Iowa, to resolve a labor strike.[3][9] He declared martial law, saying it was ""only for the benefit of the public".[10] Major General Matthew Tinley played a pivotal role in ending the strike, which ended with the return of workers after negotiations about a wage cut.[10][11] The national guard also had sharpshooters on rooftops to help, armed with "bayoneted rifles, tommy submachine guns, tear gas weapons, and automatic pistols".[10][11] The national guard left August 3.[9]
Kraschel was involved in political campaigns, such as the Guy Gillette vs. Otha Wearin senatorial contest.
Later life
During World War II.[3] His son, Richard, died when his plane malfunctioned and he jumped out and his parachute failed to launch over Niagara Falls, New York in May 1943[12][13][14] and his other son, Sergeant James Kraschel, died at Okinawa, Japan in a plane crash in September 1945.[15][16][17] They had a third son, Major Frederick Kraschel, who served and survived World War II, dying in 2000.
Kraschel died in Harlan, Iowa of a heart attack, in 1957 and he was buried in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa.[1][2] His wife, Agnes, died in 1983, aged 97, in Harlan, and was buried next to her husband and sons.
