Warren P. Knowles
Encyclopedia
Warren Perley Knowles born in River Falls, Wisconsin
, was an American
lawyer and politician from New Richmond, Wisconsin
.
in Northfield, Minnesota
, in 1930 and received a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School
three years later. He was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate
in 1941, becoming Majority Leader after only two years in office in 1943, but during World War II
he took a break to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Nevada
.
Following his military service, Knowles resumed serving in the Wisconsin State Senate
and returned to the leadership position for 5 additional terms until retiring in 1954. Knowles was also a delegate to the Republican National Convention
several times. He was elected lieutenant governor
in 1954, and was reelected in 1956. He won a third non-consecutive term in 1960. During his second term, he entered the crowded field for the special election for the remainder of Sen. Joseph McCarthy
's term upon his death in 1957. He placed a disappointing fourth behind ex-Gov. Walter J. Kohler, Jr.
and Congressmen Glenn R. Davis and Alvin O'Konski
, receiving only 8%.
Elected governor narrowly over the Democratic
incumbent John W. Reynolds in 1964 against the national Lyndon B. Johnson
tidal wave, he served three terms from 1965 to 1971. During these years, he had to call out the National Guard periodically to maintain civil order during Wisconsin’s anti-war and civil rights demonstrations.
Knowles's brother, Robert P. Knowles
, served as President Pro Tempore
of the Wisconsin State Senate during his last two terms as Governor and during the first four years of Governor Patrick Lucey's administration from 1967 to 1975.
After leaving the governor's chair, Knowles became chairman of Heritage Wisconsin Corporation, a Milwaukee bank holding company. He died on May 1, 1993 while participating in the Governor’s Fishing Opener, an event he helped organize twenty-five years earlier.
River Falls, Wisconsin
River Falls is a city in Pierce and St. Croix counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 15,000 at the 2010 census, making it the second largest city in the Twin Cities Wisconsin suburbs, which is the eighth largest metropolitan area in the state...
, was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer and politician from New Richmond, Wisconsin
New Richmond, Wisconsin
New Richmond is a city in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 8,375 as of the 2010 census.-History:New Richmond was founded in 1857. In August 2007, the town celebrated its sesquicentennial....
.
Biography
Knowles graduated from Carleton CollegeCarleton College
Carleton College is an independent non-sectarian, coeducational, liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, USA. The college enrolls 1,958 undergraduate students, and employs 198 full-time faculty members. In 2012 U.S...
in Northfield, Minnesota
Northfield, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,147 people, 4,909 households, and 3,210 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,452.2 people per square mile . There were 5,119 housing units at an average density of 732.1 per square mile...
, in 1930 and received a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School
University of Wisconsin Law School
The University of Wisconsin Law School is the professional school for the study of law at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The law school was founded in 1868.-Facilities:...
three years later. He was first elected to the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
in 1941, becoming Majority Leader after only two years in office in 1943, but during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he took a break to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Nevada
USS Nevada (BB-36)
USS Nevada , the second United States Navy ship to be named after the 36th state, was the lead ship of the two Nevada-class battleships; her sister ship was...
.
Following his military service, Knowles resumed serving in the Wisconsin State Senate
Wisconsin State Senate
The Wisconsin Senate, the powers of which are modeled after those of the U.S. Senate, is the upper house of the Wisconsin State Legislature, smaller than the Wisconsin State Assembly...
and returned to the leadership position for 5 additional terms until retiring in 1954. Knowles was also a delegate to the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
several times. He was elected lieutenant governor
Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
The Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin is the first person in the order of succession of Wisconsin's executive branch, thus serving as governor in the event of the death, resignation, removal, impeachment, absence from the state, or incapacity due to illness of the Governor of Wisconsin...
in 1954, and was reelected in 1956. He won a third non-consecutive term in 1960. During his second term, he entered the crowded field for the special election for the remainder of Sen. Joseph McCarthy
Joseph McCarthy
Joseph Raymond "Joe" McCarthy was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death in 1957...
's term upon his death in 1957. He placed a disappointing fourth behind ex-Gov. Walter J. Kohler, Jr.
Walter J. Kohler, Jr.
Walter Jodok Kohler, Jr. was the 33rd Governor of Wisconsin for three terms from 1951 to 1957 and a leading figure in state and national Republican Party activities. His role in the clash between Senator Joseph R. McCarthy and presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 has interested...
and Congressmen Glenn R. Davis and Alvin O'Konski
Alvin O'Konski
Alvin Edward O'Konski was a United States Representative from Wisconsin. Born on a farm near Kewaunee, he attended the local public schools and the University of Iowa. He graduated from State Teachers College in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1927 and from the University of Wisconsin in 1932...
, receiving only 8%.
Elected governor narrowly over the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
incumbent John W. Reynolds in 1964 against the national Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
tidal wave, he served three terms from 1965 to 1971. During these years, he had to call out the National Guard periodically to maintain civil order during Wisconsin’s anti-war and civil rights demonstrations.
Knowles's brother, Robert P. Knowles
Robert P. Knowles
Robert P. Knowles was a Wisconsin politician.Born in River Falls, Wisconsin, Knowles graduated from the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Knowles served in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1955 until 1975; his older brother was Warren P. Knowles, Governor of Wisconsin...
, served as President Pro Tempore
President pro tempore
A President pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer...
of the Wisconsin State Senate during his last two terms as Governor and during the first four years of Governor Patrick Lucey's administration from 1967 to 1975.
After leaving the governor's chair, Knowles became chairman of Heritage Wisconsin Corporation, a Milwaukee bank holding company. He died on May 1, 1993 while participating in the Governor’s Fishing Opener, an event he helped organize twenty-five years earlier.