Henry L. Palmer

For the 19th century Wisconsin surgeon, see Henry Palmer (surgeon). For others of the same name, see Henry Palmer (disambiguation).

Henry Lynde "Harry" Palmer (October 18, 1819 – May 6, 1909) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician. He was the 6th Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly, where he was a member for four terms. He also served in the Wisconsin State Senate for two sessions, representing Milwaukee County, and was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Wisconsin in the 1863 election.

Henry L. Palmer
6th Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office January 3, 1853 – January 2, 1854
Preceded by	James McMillan Shafter
Succeeded by	Frederick W. Horn
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 5th district
In office March 20, 1867 – January 4, 1869
Preceded by	Jackson Hadley
Succeeded by	William Pitt Lynde
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Milwaukee 7th district
In office January 6, 1873 – January 5, 1874
Preceded by	Winfield Smith
Succeeded by	Francis H. West
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Milwaukee 1st district
In office January 6, 1862 – January 5, 1863
Preceded by	Robert Haney
Succeeded by	John Sharpstein
In office January 2, 1860 – January 7, 1861
Preceded by	Edwin Palmer
Succeeded by	Robert Haney
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Milwaukee 6th district
In office January 3, 1853 – January 2, 1854
Preceded by	Valentine Knoll
Succeeded by	Edward O'Neill
Personal details
Born	Henry Lynde Palmer (1819-10-18)October 18, 1819 Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	May 6, 1909(1909-05-06) (aged 89) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Mary Loveland ​ ​ (m. 1843; died 1854)​ Mary Jane Hayes ​ ​ (m. 1857⁠–⁠1909)​
Children	with Mary Loveland Jessie (Kasson) (b. 1844; died 1909) Horace Loveland Palmer (b. 1849; died 1889) Frank T. Palmer (b. 1853; died 1898) with Mary Jane Hayes Grace Palmer (b. 1860) Charles Harvey Palmer (b. 1865; died 1954) Mary Palmer (b. 1866) Gertrude Palmer (b. 1872; died 1872)
Parents	Thaddeus Palmer (father) Martha (Tracy) Palmer (mother)
Profession	lawyer, politician

Biography

Palmer was born on October 18, 1819, in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, to Thaddeus and Martha Palmer.^[1] He later moved to New York City and became a lawyer.^[2] In 1849, he moved to Wisconsin, settling in Milwaukee, and began practicing law. Palmer became President of Wisconsin Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1874. During his tenure, the company moved to Milwaukee from Janesville, Wisconsin, and was renamed the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Palmer died on May 6, 1909.

Freemasonry

Palmer was the Worshipful Master of Wisconsin Lodge #13 F&AM in 1851, 1852, 1857, 1858, 1865 and 1867.

Palmer was an active member of Wisconsin Lodge #13. He led his lodge as Worshipful Master in 1851, 1852, 1857, 1858, 1865 and 1867. After his passing, Henry L. Palmer #301 Lodge, founded in 1911, was named in his honor.

Henry L. Palmer Lodge #301 located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, continues to be a vibrant lodge today.

Palmer was very active in the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Milwaukee Scottish Rite building located in downtown Milwaukee next to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Most significantly, he was elected as the leader of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, serving as Sovereign Grand Commander from 1879 to 1909.^[3] Under his leadership, the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction was incorporated by the Massachusetts Legislature.^[4] In addition, membership in the organization increased from approximately 7,000 to 61,000.^[5]

Political career

Palmer was a member of the Assembly for four terms and a member of the Senate from 1867 to 1868, elected in a special election after the death of Senator Jackson Hadley.^[6] In 1863, he was a candidate for Governor of Wisconsin, losing to James Taylor Lewis. Palmer was later a probate court judge for Milwaukee County from 1873 to 1874. He was a Democrat.