labor leader, politician, b. Milwaukee. In 1886 he began to learn the printer's trade in newspaper composing rooms and job shops. In 1901 he joined Typographical Union No. 23, and rose rapidly in union affairs during the years from 1903 to 1909. In 1914 he became an A.F. of L. and Wisconsin State Federation of Labor organizer, and in 1915 was made a member of the Wisconsin State Federation of Labor executive board. Ohl succeeded Frank J. Weber (q.v.) as W.S.F.L. head in 1917 and, under various titles, continued to head this organization until his death (general organizer, 1917-1923; president, 1923-1940). With the W.S.F.L. secretary-treasurer, John J. Handley (q.v.), he lobbied for labor's program in the state legislature at Madison, and was a vigorous advocate of popular education, especially vocational training. From 1935 to 1940 he was labor member of the Federal Board of Vocational Education. He also promoted workers' schools, especially the Milwaukee Labor College (1921-1935), and the Univ. of Wisconsin's worker program (1927-1940). During the depression of the early 1930's, Ohl advocated broad state and federal action; he was a member of the Wisconsin Advisory Board on Unemployment Compensation (1931-1935) and President Roosevelt's Advisory Council on Economic Security (1934-1935). Originally a Socialist, Ohl served as deputy city clerk (1910-1912) for Milwaukee's Mayor Emil Seidel (q.v.), and was state assemblyman (1917-1918). During the early 1920's he was active in the Conference for Progressive Political Action, and in 1935, with Handley, helped muster labor support to form the Farmer-Labor-Progressive Federation within the state's Progressive party. He completely renounced his nominal Socialist affiliation in 1937 when that party endorsed the rival C.I.O. union organization. Who Was Who in Amer. (1943); Milwaukee Evening Post, Oct. 17, 1940; Wis. Blue Book (1917).Learn More
Dictionary of Wisconsin History
Explore more than 1,600 people, places and events in Wisconsin history.
[Source: Blue book]
