The Legacy of Emil Baensch
Upon his death in 1939, a joint resolution was passed by the State of Wisconsin relating to the life and public service of Emil A. Baensch. Born in Manitowoc in the year 1857 of German parentage, Emil Baensch would go on to lead an exemplary life of community and public service, the height of which was serving as Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin from 1894 to 1898 under Governors William H. Upham and Edward Scofield. His life in major politics ended with an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination for Governor against Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follett Sr.
Despite his failed attempt to gain the highest office in Wisconsin, Emil Baensch has left a lasting legacy in our community through his service and vision. Facing the adversity of losing his father at the age of five, Emil attended school in Manitowoc until he was fifteen. He went on to work for five years as a grocery store clerk and bookkeeper for five years until he had saved enough money to enroll at the University of Wisconsin. After several years of studying law, Emil Baench was admitted to the bar on March 4, 1882. Upon his return to Manitowoc, he practiced law and served as editor and publisher of the Lake Shore Times newspaper.
As if practicing law and editing a newspaper were not enough, Emil Baensch found time to wed Miss Ida Koehler, raise two children, and serve as Captain of Company H of the Second Regiment of the Wisconsin National Guard from 1883 until 1888. By this time, he had become known and respected enough to be elected county judge as a Republican in a county that was then a strong Democratic majority.
His election was the first step towards an impressive resume of public service. He held the offices of Justice of the Peace and County Clerk in Manitowoc County before being elected Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin for two terms from 1894 to 1898.
Remaining active in Republican politics after his terms, Emil Baensch set his sights on the highest office in Wisconsin for the election of 1904. This was a very contentious time among Republicans. Among other issues, the incumbent Robert La Follette was engaged in bitter debate with stalwart republicans such as Emil Baench about how political parties would select their candidates, with a vote or at convention. The Republican Party split into two and in the interest of civility, Baench withdrew himself as a candidate and returned to Manitowoc.
It was at this time that Baensch became immersed in the community, cementing his legacy as one of our most accomplished and admired citizens. Among his many positions and interests were; President of the Manitowoc Building and Loan Association, president of the East Wisconsin Trustee Company, Publisher and Editor of the German-language Manitowoc Post and Vice President of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
His passion for history and efforts to preserve the stories of our early German settlers led him to lead a small group of citizens to form the Manitowoc County Historical Society in 1906. Emil Baensch’s efforts have lived on beyond his years and demonstrate that one individual with vision and commitment can inspire a community for generations.