Background
Ickes, Harold L. was born on March 15, 1874 in Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Jesse Boone Williams and Martha Ann (McEwen) Ickes.
Ickes, Harold L. was born on March 15, 1874 in Frankstown Township, Blair County, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Jesse Boone Williams and Martha Ann (McEwen) Ickes.
Bachelor of Arts, University of Chicago, 1897, Juris Doctor, cum laude, 1907. Doctor of Laws, Washington and Jefferson College and Lake Forest College, 1933, Berea, Pennsylvania Military and Tufts colleges and Northwestern University, 1934, University of Alabama, 1935, University of New Mexico, 1939.
1 son, Raymond Wilmarth. Married second, Jane Dahlman, May 24, 1938. Children—Harold McEwen, Elizabeth.
Began career as reporter with Chicago newspapers, 1897-1900.
Began law practice, Chicago, 1907. Became active in municipal reform politics, Chicago, in 1897.
Manager of the mayoralty campaigns of John M. Harlan, 1905, and of Charles East. Merriam, 1911. Chairman Progressive Company Committee, Cook Company, Illinois, 1912-1914.
Chairman, Illinois Progressive State Committee, 1914-1916.
Member Progressive National Committee and National Executive Committee, 1915-1916. Member National Campaign Committee in charge of Charles East. Hughes’ campaign for President, 1916. Chairman Illinois State Council Defense Neighborhood Committee, 1917-April 1918.
Young Men's Christian Association work in France with 35th Division, American Expeditionary Force, April 1918-January 1919.
Delaware at large Progressive National Convention, 1916, Republican National Convention, 1920, Democratic National Convs., 1936, 1940 and 1944. President of People's Protective League, 1922.
Illinois manager of Hiram West. Johnson presidential campaign, 1924. Manager campaign of Hugh South. Magill, Independent Republican candidate for United States Senator from Illinois, 1926.
Became secretary of Interior in cabinets of Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, 1933-1946.
Resigned February 15, 1946. Also administrator of public works, 1933-1939, and oil administrator under National Rifle Association. Became solid fuels administrator for war, November 1941-February 1946, and coordinator of fisheries, July 1942-February 1946.
Also petroleum administrator, May 1941-February 1946. Coal mines administrator, 1943-1944.
Chairman National Resources Committee, 1934-1939.
Chairman National Power Policy Committee, 1934-February 1946. Member of National Defense Power Commission, 1938-1939. Chairman American delegation, Anglo-American Oil Treaty Negotiations, London, September 1945.
Member National Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association.
Vice president Roosevelt Memorial Association of Greater Chicago. Member board advisers of Quetico-Superior Council until 1933.
Member National Conservation Committee. Chairman People's Traction League, 1929-1930.
Chairman of the board of trustees, Roosevelt College, Chicago, Illinois, 1948-1950.
Member American Bar Association, Illinois Society Sons of the American Revolution, Swedish Colonial Society (honorary), Chicago Press Veterans Association, League of America, American Philatelic Society, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Delta Phi, Pi Gamma Mu (honorary). Clubs: University, Lake Shore Athletic (Chicago).
Married Anna Wilmarth Thompson, 1911 (died 1935). Married second, Jane Dahlman, May 24, 1938. Children: Harold McEwen, Elizabeth.