Henry L. Palmer

Henry Lynde "Harry" Palmer (October 18, 1819 – May 6, 1909) was an American lawyer, businessman, and Democratic politician. He was a major contributor to the economic development of the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was largely responsible for growing the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company from a small Janesville firm into a major Midwest insurance conglomerate; Palmer served as president of the company from 1874 to 1908, and was responsible for moving the headquarters to Milwaukee.

Before his business success, Palmer served as the 6th speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1853), and was a member of the Assembly for four terms. He also served in the Wisconsin Senate for two sessions, and was the Democratic nominee for governor of Wisconsin in the 1863 election. In civic life, he was also extremely influential in American Freemasonry, and was sovereign grand commander of the U.S. Northern Masonic Jurisdiction from 1879 until his death in 1909.

Biography Palmer was born on October 18, 1819, in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, to Thaddeus and Martha Palmer. He later moved to New York City and became a lawyer. In 1849, he moved to Wisconsin, settling in Milwaukee, and began practicing law. Palmer became President of Wisconsin Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1874. During his tenure, the company moved to Milwaukee from Janesville, Wisconsin, and was renamed the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company. Palmer died on May 6, 1909.

Freemasonry Palmer was the Worshipful Master of Wisconsin Lodge #13 F&AM in 1851, 1852, 1857, 1858, 1865 and 1867. Palmer was an active member of Wisconsin Lodge #13. He led his lodge as Worshipful Master in 1851, 1852, 1857, 1858, 1865 and 1867. After his passing, Henry L. Palmer #301 Lodge, founded in 1911, was named in his honor.

Henry L. Palmer Lodge #301 located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, continues to be a vibrant lodge today.

Palmer was very active in the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Milwaukee Scottish Rite building located in downtown Milwaukee next to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Most significantly, he was elected as the leader of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, serving as Sovereign Grand Commander from 1879 to 1909. Under his leadership, the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction was incorporated by the Massachusetts Legislature. In addition, membership in the organization increased from approximately 7,000 to 61,000.

Political career Palmer was a member of the Assembly for four terms and a member of the Senate from 1867 to 1868, elected in a special election after the death of Senator Jackson Hadley. In 1863, he was a candidate for Governor of Wisconsin, losing to James Taylor Lewis. Palmer was later a probate court judge for Milwaukee County from 1873 to 1874. He was a Democrat.

Electoral history Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor (1859)