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William J. McCauley

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William J. McCauley
Milwaukee County District Attorney
In office
January 1, 1945 – October 30, 1964
Preceded byJames Kerwin
Succeeded byHugh R. O'Connell
Personal details
BornFebruary 24, 1900
Escanaba, Michigan
DiedOctober 30, 1964
Political partyDemocratic

William J. McCauley (February 24, 1900 – October 30, 1964) was an American attorney and politician who served as Milwaukee County District Attorney from 1945 to his death in 1964.

Life and career

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McCauley was born in Escanaba, Michigan and graduated from the Marquette University Law School in 1923.[1] He worked as a private practice attorney in Milwaukee until 1933, when he was appointed an assistant district attorney.[1] An active Democrat, McCauley unsuccessfully sought the party's nomination for Wisconsin's 5th congressional district in 1934.[1] In 1936, McCauley was fired by newly appointed Progressive District Attorney Herbert Steffes and reentered private practice.[2] After Steffes's appointment to a criminal court judgeship in 1944, McCauley entered the race to succeed him, ultimately defeating Republican George Bowman, a former district attorney and Steffes's deputy.[3]

As district attorney, McCauley gained notoriety for his success and theatrical style as a trial attorney[4] Although he was elected to ten two-year terms, he failed in his efforts to attain judicial office; in 1955, he unsuccessfully challenged Steffes for his seat on the Milwaukee County Municipal Court.[5]

McCauley died of lung cancer on October 30, 1964, while seeking his eleventh term in office.[1] He was succeeded by a first assistant district attorney, Hugh R. O'Connell.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "McCauley, 64, dies of lung cancer". The Milwaukee Sentinel. 31 October 1964. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  2. ^ "Aim of Steffes Is "Co-operate"". The Milwaukee Journal. 11 November 1936. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  3. ^ "County Gains by Democrats". The Milwaukee Journal. 8 November 1944.
  4. ^ Dobish, Alex P. (30 December 1968). "Wiener's Exit Ends Era of DA Drama". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Steffes Bows Out on US Robe". The Milwaukee Sentinel. 21 April 1955. Retrieved 25 July 2015.