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Henry W. Kiel
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| Term: |
1913
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1925
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Republican
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| Born: |
February 21, 1871
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St. Louis, Missouri
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| Died: |
November 26, 1942
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St. Louis, Missouri
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Henry W. Kiel (Mayor 1913-1925)-Background
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Mayor (1913-1925). Henry W. Kiel was born in St. Louis on February 21, 1871. He was educated in the St. Louis public schools and Smith Academy. Under his father Kiel learned the bricklayers' trade. He progressed to vice president and then president of Kiel and Duanes Contracting Company. Kiel had a part in erecting Soldan, Central and McKinley high schools; the Missouri Delmonte, Loew's State and Ambassador theaters; the Post-Dispatch, Coronado Hotel, Eighteenth Street Garage, Municipal Auditorium, and Hamilton-Brown buildings. In 1892 he married Miss Irene H. Moonan of St. Louis. They had two sons and two daughters.
Most of Kiel's political experience, before becoming Mayor, came from non-salaried committee positions. He was made chairman of the Republican City Commission in 1909.
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Henry W. Kiel (Mayor 1913-1925)-Administration
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In 1913 Henry W. Kiel became the thirty-sixth Mayor of St. Louis.
In April of 1913 he was elected Mayor by a very close majority. The early returns showed Dr. John Simon leading. Mr. Kiel had a building job in Texas and took an evening train from St. Louis, thinking he was beaten. He was awakened in Arkansas with a telegram telling of his election. Kiel made a broad appeal for public support. He directed the program for the Adoption of the new City Charter of 1914.
Mayor Kiel won election for his second term in 1917 by a larger majority than in 1913. The Municipal Theater in Forest Park was built during his second administration and the Mayor took an active part in its management. He became the first Mayor elected to a third four-year term. The $87,000,000 bond issue of 1923 was the greatest event of this third administration. Actual construction under the bond issue was just started before he left office. This bond issue made possible a great program of improvements. It included plans for Aloe and Memorial Plazas.
Municipal advances made during Mayor Kiel's 12 years in office included: enactment of the first zoning law was enacted, construction of the North Market Street Dock, and widening of Washington Boulevard. The Waterworks filtration plant was installed. Koch Hospital, the City Jail, Children's Building were built. The City acquired City Hospital Number Two (Homer Phillips). New playgrounds and community centers were opened.
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Henry W. Kiel (Mayor 1913-1925)-Post-Administration
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Following his last term as Mayor, Henry W. Kiel went back into the building business and continued to be a civic leader. Governor Caulfield appointed him President of the St. Louis Police Board. His firm built the Municipal Auditorium that bears his name. In 1933 he was receiver and trustee for the Public Service Company, by Federal Court appointment.
Henry W. Kiel died November 26, 1942. Interment was in Oak Grove Cemetery at St. Louis, Missouri.
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