Morris E. Muhleman
Encyclopedia
Morris E. “Morrie” Muhleman (1915–1998) was a politician in Rock Island County, Illinois
, United States
, for most of his life. He was an Illinois State Senator, sheriff of Rock Island County, and mayor of the city of Rock Island
.
Born June 1, 1915, he was raised in the City of Rock Island
where he attended school and graduated from Rock Island High School
in 1933. He married Winifred McClean on October 7, 1936. Prior to his election to public office Muhleman served as a bookkeeper, salesman, was manager and co-owner of a farm implement store.
Morrie Muhleman was an active member of the local Republican Party
for years and in 1950 Muhleman was elected Sheriff
of Rock Island County. He served in that office until November 1954 when he was elected to the Illinois State Senate. In the State Senate he was Vice-Chairman of the Senate Highways and Traffic Regulations Committee and also served on the Industrial Affairs Committee, Municipalities Committee, Pensions and Personnel Committee, and the Revenue Committee.
Muhleman was defeated in a surprise upset in 1958 by political veteran and former Illinois State Treasurer
, Ora Smith.
In late 1960 Muhleman declared his candidacy for Mayor of Rock Island, Illinois
. He won the February Primary and went on to victory in a tight Mayoral election the following April. Muhleman served as Mayor for one term before retiring in 1965. Muhleman's term as Mayor was marked by great cooperation between the city, business, and civic interests.
He remained semi-active in the community as a member of the Masonic Order, the Methodist Church, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce
director, and a member of the local Boy Scout
council. Past Fair Association President, and on the Executive Board of the Illinois Sheriff's Association as well as manager of the Rock Island Centennial Bridge
from 1965 to 1980. He was the owner of an insurance company in Rock Island known as the M. E. Muhleman Agency.
Muhleman died November 11, 1998 at the age of 83.
November 1954 election - State Senate
November 1958 election - State Senate
April 1965 election - Mayor of Rock Island
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, for most of his life. He was an Illinois State Senator, sheriff of Rock Island County, and mayor of the city of Rock Island
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
.
Born June 1, 1915, he was raised in the City of Rock Island
Rock Island, Illinois
Rock Island is the county seat of Rock Island County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,884 at the 2010 census. Located on the Mississippi River, it is one of the Quad Cities, along with neighboring Moline, East Moline, and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf. The Quad Cities...
where he attended school and graduated from Rock Island High School
Rock Island High School
Rock Island High School, also known as "Rocky", is a public four-year high school located in Rock Island, Illinois, USA. Rocky is within the Rock Island-Milan School District No. 41, and the school colors are crimson and gold.-Technology:...
in 1933. He married Winifred McClean on October 7, 1936. Prior to his election to public office Muhleman served as a bookkeeper, salesman, was manager and co-owner of a farm implement store.
Morrie Muhleman was an active member of the local Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
for years and in 1950 Muhleman was elected Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Rock Island County. He served in that office until November 1954 when he was elected to the Illinois State Senate. In the State Senate he was Vice-Chairman of the Senate Highways and Traffic Regulations Committee and also served on the Industrial Affairs Committee, Municipalities Committee, Pensions and Personnel Committee, and the Revenue Committee.
Muhleman was defeated in a surprise upset in 1958 by political veteran and former Illinois State Treasurer
Illinois State Treasurer
The Treasurer of Illinois is an elected official of the U.S. state of Illinois. The office was created by the Constitution of Illinois.-Current occupant and duties:, the Treasurer of Illinois is Dan Rutherford, a member of the Republican Party...
, Ora Smith.
In late 1960 Muhleman declared his candidacy for Mayor of Rock Island, Illinois
Mayor of Rock Island, Illinois
The office of Mayor of Rock Island, Illinois has existed since the Rock Island's incorporation in 1841 with Benjamin Barrett serving as the city's first mayor. Rock Island adopted a Mayor-Council form of government. It held that form of government for the next 110 years when in 1952 the city...
. He won the February Primary and went on to victory in a tight Mayoral election the following April. Muhleman served as Mayor for one term before retiring in 1965. Muhleman's term as Mayor was marked by great cooperation between the city, business, and civic interests.
He remained semi-active in the community as a member of the Masonic Order, the Methodist Church, Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
director, and a member of the local Boy Scout
Boy Scout
A Scout is a boy or a girl, usually 11 to 18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement. Because of the large age and development span, many Scouting associations have split this age group into a junior and a senior section...
council. Past Fair Association President, and on the Executive Board of the Illinois Sheriff's Association as well as manager of the Rock Island Centennial Bridge
Rock Island Centennial Bridge
The Centennial Bridge, or Rock Island Centennial Bridge, connects Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. The bridge is long and stands above water level. On September 4, 1988, lights were installed on the arches, which make the bridge a very scenic sight at night.Construction of the bridge...
from 1965 to 1980. He was the owner of an insurance company in Rock Island known as the M. E. Muhleman Agency.
Muhleman died November 11, 1998 at the age of 83.
Electoral history
November 1950 election - Sheriff-
- R. Morris E. Muhleman- 21,860 54%
- D. Howard Gregg- 18,492 46%
November 1954 election - State Senate
-
- R. Morris E. Muhleman- 28,237 52%
- D. Samuel Arndt- 26,292 48%
November 1958 election - State Senate
-
- D. Ora Smith- 23,174 50%
- R. Morris E. Muhleman- 22,736 50%
April 1965 election - Mayor of Rock Island
-
- NP. Morris E. Muhleman- 6,146 53%
- NP. Stanley Erikson- 5,446 47%