George H. Middelkamp

George H. Middelkamp
Middelkamp, c. 1917
24th Treasurer of Missouri
In office
1917–1921
GovernorFrederick D. Gardner
Preceded byEdwin P. Deal
Succeeded byLorenzo Dow Thompson
Personal details
BornGeorge Herman Middelkamp
(1880-04-20)April 20, 1880
DiedOctober 5, 1966(1966-10-05) (aged 86)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
Clara M. Ordelheide
(m. 1904; died 1938)
Children2

George Herman Middelkamp (April 20, 1880 – October 5, 1966) was an American politician. He served as the State Treasurer of Missouri from 1917 to 1921.

Biography

Middelkamp was born on April 20, 1880, in Warrenton, Missouri, to John Herman Middelkamp and Mary Otillie Middelkamp (née Gerdemann). He studied at Central Wesleyan College and afterward worked as a tinsmith for his father's hardware store.[1] From 1906 to 1916, he was a cashier for the Bank of Hawk Point, resigning after the Democratic Party nominated him for State Treasurer of Missouri.[2][3] He was the first person from Lincoln County, Missouri to be nominated for a state office.[4]

Prior to become State Treasurer, Middelkamp was member of the Democratic state committee from the 9th congressional district since the 1910s. The Democratic nominee for State Treasurer, he was elected in November 1916 and served from 1917 to 1921, being paid $3,000 per year in the position. During his tenure, the State Treasury gained the authority to oversee inheritance and corporation franchise taxes. Because of this, he hired five extra employees to the Treasury, an increase from five.[2]

After his tenure, Middelkamp was the Democratic nominee for State Auditor of Missouri in 1920 and 1924, losing both times to George E. Hackmann. He moved to the Kansas City metropolitan area, where he worked for loan companies. On November 30, 1904, he married Clara M. Ordelheide, with whom he had two children.[2][3] He retired in 1947, dying on October 5, 1966, aged 86, in St. Louis. He is buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery, in Kansas City.[5]

Electoral history

George H. Middelkamp electoral history
1916 Missouri Treasurer election[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic George H. Middelkamp 395,391 50.27% +2.70%
Republican Lorenzo Dow Thompson 372,609 47.37% +16.53%
Socialist J. F. Harlow 14,678 1.87% −2.18%
Prohibition Ed Brandt 3,856 0.49% −0.26%
Total votes '786,534' '100.00%'
1920 Missouri Auditor election[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican George E. Hackmann (incumbent) 728,788 54.93% +5.60%
Democratic George H. Middelkamp 573,903 43.26% −4.91%
Socialist Roy F. Smalley 19,512 1.47% −0.42%
Farmer–Labor A. R. Smith 2,967 0.22% +0.22%
Socialist Labor Frederick Spalti 1,634 0.12% +0.00%
Total votes '1,326,804' '100.00%'
1924 Missouri Auditor election[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican George E. Hackmann 648,910 50.50% −4.43%
Democratic George H. Middelkamp 613,210 47.73% +4.47%
Socialist A. B. Griep 22,146 1.72% +0.25%
Socialist Labor Henry Knobel 595 0.05% −0.07%
Total votes '1,284,861' '100.00%'

References

  1. ^ "The Political Graveyard: Steel and Metal Industry Politicians in Missouri". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  2. ^ a b c "Missouri State Past Treasurers - George H. Middelkamp". treasurer.mo.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  3. ^ a b "George H. Middelkamp". The Democrat-Argus. October 31, 1924. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ^ "George H. Middelkamp". Missouri State Journal. 24 July 1920. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  5. ^ "George H. Middelkamp, 86 Died Wednesday, October 5". Warrenton Banner. October 13, 1966. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ^ "MO Treasurer 1916". August 13, 2007.
  7. ^ "MO Auditor 1920". August 14, 2007.
  8. ^ "MO Auditor 1924". August 7, 2007.