Charles Mulberger (November 1, 1873November 17, 1931) was an American lawyer, businessman, and Democratic politician from Watertown, Wisconsin. He was the 39th mayor of Waterford and served two terms in the Wisconsin Senate, representing the 33rd Senate district from 1915 to 1923. His father, Henry Mulberger Sr., and two brothers, Henry Jr. and Arthur, also served as mayors of Watertown.
Background Born in Watertown on November 1, 1873, son of Henry Mulberger Sr. and Mathilda Wolf Mulberger, attended the local public schools and Watertown High School. He graduated from University of Wisconsin Law School in 1894. He was the manager of Global Milling Company for twenty years.
Public office He served four years on Watertown's Common Council, and four as president of the city fire and police commission, and was mayor of Watertown from 1915 to 1921, a title previously held by his father (Henry Mulberger Sr.) and two of his brothers, Henry Jr. and Arthur (whom he succeeded). In 1914, Mulberger was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate from Wisconsin's 33rd State Senate district (Jefferson and Waukesha counties) as a Democrat, with 5,890 votes, to 5,157 for Republican Frank Foote, 61 for Prohibitionist J. A. McKenzie, and 28 for Socialist Gus. Voight. (Republican incumbent George E. Hoyt was not a candidate.) He was assigned to the standing committee on corporations.The Wisconsin Blue Book 1915 Madison: Democrat Printing Co., State Printer, 1915; pp. 247, 474, 500 He was re-elected in 1918, with 5,294 votes to 1,014 for Socialist George Neu. He moved to the committee on state affairs, and to the committee on committees.Hunter, Paul F., ed. The Wisconsin Blue Book 1919 Madison: Democrat Printing Co., State Printer, 1919; pp. 446, 472 He gained statewide attention as the author of the 1919 "Mulberger Act", which provided for enforcement of the Prohibition Amendment, but legalized the sale of near beer with up to 2.75% alcohol content (the latter provision was eventually defeated in court)."Stroke Fatal To Author Of Measure To Bring Back Beer", Sheboygan Press November 16, 1931; p. 21, col. 1 via Newspapers.com In 1922, he was defeated by Republican John C. Schumann, who drew 10,865 votes to Mulberger's 3,794.The Wisconsin Blue Book 1923 Madison: State of Wisconsin, 1923; p. 577
Mulberger ran once more for mayor of Watertown, but came in third in a tight three-way race, with 1271 votes to 1461 for J. E. McAdams and 1406 for A. H. Hartwig."M'Adams Wins, Watertown", Sheboygan Press April 2, 1924; p. 4, col. 2 In 1928, he was the Democratic nominee for Wisconsin Secretary of State, losing to incumbent Republican Theodore Dammann, who drew 627,244 votes to 232,797 for Mulberger, 36,734 for Socialist Leo Krzycki, 6,517 for Prohibitionist W. C. Pickering, and 1,510 for Peter Ordanoff of the Workers' Party.Anderson, William J.; Anderson, William A., ed. The Wisconsin Blue Book 1929 Madison: Democrat Printing Company, State Printer, 1929; p. 819
Later years Mulberger continued to live in the family home at 311 S. Washington Street (now part of the South Washington Street Historic District)."PROPERTY RECORD: 311 S WASHINGTON ST.: Architecture and History Inventory", Wisconsin Historical Society accessed 2-11-2022 He had suffered a severe stroke in 1927,"Former State Sen. Mulberger Is Near Death", The Capital Times December 14, 1927; p. 13, col. 5 but continued in the occasional practice of law."Drys Seize Three Watertown Men", Wisconsin State Journal June 16, 1931; p. 9, col. 3 He died November 16, 1931, of apoplexy, leaving a widow not named in his obituaries."JOINT RESOLUTIONS No. 4, 1931: Relating to the public service and death of Charles Mulberger" Laws of Wisconsin 1931-1932 Madison: Wisconsin Legislative Bureau, 1933; pg. 117-118
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