Harry G. Haskell Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry G. Haskell Jr.
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| Mayor of Wilmington, Delaware | |
| In office January 7, 1969 – January 9, 1973 |
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| Preceded by | John E. Babiarz Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Thomas C. Maloney |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's At-large district |
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| In office January 3, 1957 – January 3, 1959 |
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| Preceded by | Harris B. McDowell Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Harris B. McDowell Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Harry Garner Haskell Jr.
May 27, 1921 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Died | January 16, 2020 (aged 98) Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Mary "Mimi" Carey (née Foster) Haskell
(m. 1947; |
| Domestic partner | Ruth du Pont Lord (2009-2014; her death) |
| Residences | Wilmington, Delaware Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | Princeton University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service | United States Coast Guard |
| Years of service | 1943 – 1946 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Harry Garner Haskell Jr. (born May 27, 1921 – died January 16, 2020) was an American businessman and politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. Haskell was from Wilmington, Delaware. He served as the mayor of Wilmington from 1969 to 1973. He also represented Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1957 to 1959.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Harry G. Haskell Jr. was born in Wilmington, Delaware. His father, Harry Garner Haskell, was an executive at the DuPont company. Harry Jr. went to Tower Hill School in Wilmington. He also attended St. Mark's School in Massachusetts.
He studied at Princeton University from 1940 to 1942. In 1942, he joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve. He became an ensign in 1943. He left the Coast Guard in 1946 as a lieutenant (junior grade).
Business and Public Service
After his military service, Haskell worked in business. He was a personnel manager at Speakman Co. in 1947 and 1948. From 1948 to 1953, he was president of Greenhill Dairies, Inc. Later, he owned and ran Hill Girt Farm in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.
Haskell also worked for the government. In 1953 and 1954, he was secretary of a council for the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. In 1955, he advised U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He also served as president of the University of Delaware Research Foundation.
Political Career
Harry Haskell was an active member of the Republican Party. He was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions many times, from 1952 to 1984.
In 1956, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He won against the Democratic representative, Harris McDowell. Haskell supported the Civil Rights Act of 1957. This law aimed to protect voting rights for all citizens. He served one term, from January 3, 1957, to January 3, 1959. He lost his re-election bid to Harris McDowell in 1958.
Later, in 1969, Haskell was elected mayor of Wilmington, Delaware. He served one term as mayor until 1973.
In 1970, he was appointed to the President's National Reading Council. He also became president of Abercrombie and Fitch. He worked with other companies too, like Computer International and Interpoint Corp.
Community Involvement
Haskell was a key figure in his community. He helped start the Brandywine River Museum and Conservancy in Chadds Ford. He was on its board for over 50 years.
He also helped create two important groups that support and guide young people. These were Dynamy in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Delaware Futures in Wilmington, Delaware.
Later Life
Harry G. Haskell Jr. passed away on January 16, 2020, at his home in Chadds Ford. He was 98 years old. He was a father to eight children. He also had 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
