Anton Cermak

American politician (1873–1933)

Antonín Josef Čermák (May 9, 1873 – March 6, 1933) was an American politician of Czech origin. He was best known as the mayor of Chicago. He was mayor from 1931 until his assassination in 1933.

Anton Joseph Cermak
44th Mayor of Chicago
In office
April 7, 1931 – March 6, 1933
Preceded byWilliam Hale Thompson
Succeeded byFrank J. Corr
Personal details
Born(1873-05-09)May 9, 1873
Kladno, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary
DiedMarch 6, 1933(1933-03-06) (aged 59)
Miami, Florida, United States
Cause of deathMurder (gunshot wound)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Mary Horejs Cermak
Children1 daughter

Biography

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Antonín Josef Čermák was born on May 9, 1873 in Kladno, Austria-Hungary. He was married to Mary Horejas until his death in 1933. They have one daughter, Helena.

Cermak was elected president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 1922, chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party in 1928, and mayor of Chicago in 1931. In 1928 he ran for the United States Senate and was defeated by Republican Otis F. Glenn, receiving 46% of the vote.

His mayoral victory came in the wake of the Great Depression and the deep resentment many Chicagoans had of Prohibition and the increasing violence resulting from organized crime's control of Chicago, typified by the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

Cermak was mortally shot while being at a Democratic Party convention for Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 15, 1933 that was supposed attempt to assassinate Roosevelt. He died 19 days later from injury he sustained. He was 59 years old. 4 other people were also shot but received their minor injuries.[1] Later doctors said Cermak would have lived if he had never had colitis.[2]

Aftermath

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His only daughter, Helena married future Governor of Illinois Otto Kerner, Jr.

References

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  1. "The shooting of Anton Cermak". Chicago Tribune.com. February 15, 1933. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  2. Reveals Colitis Fatal to Cermak", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 31, 1933, p1

Other websites

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  Media related to Anton Cermak at Wikimedia Commons