Milton Lorman

Milton Lorman
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the 39th district
In office
January 3, 1977 – November 27, 1979
Preceded byByron F. Wackett
Succeeded byRandall S. Knox
Personal details
Born(1927-07-27)July 27, 1927
Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, U.S.
DiedNovember 27, 1979(1979-11-27) (aged 52)
China House Restaurant, 1256 S. Park St., Madison, Wisconsin
Cause of deathHeart attack
Resting placeForest Hill Cemetery, Madison, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Barbara Ann Kailin
​
​
(m. 1953⁠–⁠1979)​
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison (B.B.A., LL.B., J.D.)
Occupationpolitician
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service
Years of service1945–1946 (USN)
1953–1969 (USAR)
Rank

Milton Lorman (July 27, 1927 – November 27, 1979) was an American attorney, businessman, and Republican politician. He was elected to two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Jefferson County, but died in office during his second term.

Early life and education

Born in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, Lorman graduated from Fort Atkinson High School and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving two years. On his return to private life, he attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1950. He continued his education there and also received an LL.B. in 1953.[1] While studying at the University of Wisconsin, Lorman joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and was commissioned in the United States Army Reserve in 1953.[2] He continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 1969, rising to the rank of captain.[1]

Career

After being admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin, he was hired as an assistant district attorney in Jefferson County, under D.A. Thorpe Merriman.[1] He also became an active partner with his father in a metal salvage and scrap company, known as Lorman Iron and Metal Co.[3] He ultimately succeeded his father as president of the company.[4]

In 1958, he was appointed to the Fort Atkinson Police and Fire Commission, and, in 1960, was elected municipal judge, where he served until his election to the Assembly in 1976.[1] In 1972, he was also appointed to the South Central Criminal Justice Regional Planning Council by Governor Patrick Lucey.[5]

On the retirement of state representative Byron F. Wackett, Lorman entered the race to replace him in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Despite Wackett endorsing the other candidate in the Republican primary, John Neis, Lorman won the primary in a landslide, carrying more than 70% of the vote.[6] He went on to win nearly 60% in the general election, defeating Democrat Lawrence Wiedenfeld.[6] He would win reelection without opposition in 1978, but died in November 1979.[7]

Lorman was considered a moderate in the Assembly Republican caucus, an early supporter of Lee S. Dreyfus—a dark horse Republican candidate who won the governorship in 1978. As the son of refugees, he was vocal about the plight of the "boat people"—refugees from the wars in Vietnam and Cambodia—and fought for their resettlement in Wisconsin.[7]

Personal life and family

Lorman was the son of Louis R. Lorman and his wife, Clara Lorman (née Wolach). His parents were Russian American Jews who fled the Soviet Union and emigrated to the United States.

Milton Lorman married Barbara Kailin at Madison's Beth El Temple, February 1, 1953.[8] They had three children together. Lorman died of a sudden heart attack while dining at a restaurant on Madison's south side, November 27, 1979.

Outside of his political activity, Lorman was a member and past president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel, a member of the National Association of Recycling Industries, Lions Clubs International, Masons, the American Legion, and the Fort Atkinson Symphony.[1] He was also an active member of the Madison Jewish Welfare Council for many years.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Lorman, Milton 1927". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  2. ^ "Miss Barbara Ann Kailin Engaged to Milton Lorman". Wisconsin State Journal. December 12, 1952. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Scrap is Important to U.S. Economy Says Fort Speaker". Janesville Daily Gazette. November 23, 1954. p. 11. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "Milton Lorman, 1972 Chairman of Welfare Fund Campaign". Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. December 31, 1971. p. 5. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Criminal Justice Panel Members Named by Lucey". Wisconsin State Journal. December 5, 1972. p. 4. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (1977). "Elections" (PDF). In Theobald, H. Rupert; Robbins, Patricia V. (eds.). The state of Wisconsin 1977 Blue Book (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 893, 915. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Still, Thomas W. (November 29, 1979). "Political friends, foes mourn Lorman's death". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Barbara Kailin Is Bride of Milton Lorman". The Capital Times. February 7, 1953. p. 5. Retrieved February 1, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.

Milton Lorman at Find a Grave

Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the 39th district
January 3, 1977 – November 27, 1979 		Succeeded by