{{Short description|20th century American politician}} {{redirect|Frank Keefe|the American swimmer and coach|Frank Keefe (swim coach)}} <!-- Deleted image removed: right|thumb|150px|Frank B. Keefe --> {{Infobox officeholder |name = Frank B. Keefe |image = Frank B. Keefe (1887-1952) (8253034513).jpg |alt = |state = Wisconsin |district = {{ushr|Wisconsin|6|6th}} | term_start = January 3, 1939 | term_end = January 3, 1951 | predecessor = Michael Reilly | successor = William Van Pelt |office1 = District Attorney of Winnebago County, Wisconsin | term_start1 = January 1, 1927 | term_end1 = January 1, 1933 | predecessor1 = David K. Allen | successor1 = R. Curtis Laus |party = {{unbulleted list | Republican | Democratic (before 1920) }} |birth_date = {{birth date|1887|9|23}} |birth_place = Winneconne, Wisconsin, U.S. |death_date = {{death date and age|1952|2|5|1887|9|23}} |death_place = Neenah, Wisconsin, U.S. |death_cause = Heart attack |resting_place = Lake View Memorial Park, {{nowrap|Oshkosh, Wisconsin}} |spouse = {{marriage|Mildred Virginia Steele|1912|1952}} |children = 3 |education = {{unbulleted list | Oshkosh State Teachers College | University of Michigan Law School }} |profession = Lawyer, politician }} '''Frank Bateman Keefe''' (September 23, 1887{{spnd}}February 5, 1952) was an American lawyer and Republican politician from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin's 6th congressional district from 1939 to 1951. He previously served six years as district attorney of Winnebago County, Wisconsin.
==Early life and education==
Frank Keefe was born in Winneconne, Wisconsin, in September 1887.<ref name="wihist">{{Cite web|url= https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM55086 |title= Keefe, Frank Bateman |website= Wisconsin Historical Society |accessdate= July 7, 2024 }}</ref> He was educated at public schools and went on to attend Oshkosh State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh). He graduated in 1906 and went to work as a school teacher in Viroqua, Wisconsin, for two years. He continued his education at the University of Michigan and earned his LL.B. in 1910.<ref name="wihist"/>
==Early legal and political career== He was admitted to the bar at Madison, Wisconsin. He briefly worked as an attorney in Portage, Wisconsin, before returning to the Oshkosh area in 1911 and opening a law firm in Omro, Wisconsin.
As a young man, he was active in the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He first sought public office in 1912, when he was elected village president of Omro.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-omro-election/150867829/ |title= Officers are Elected |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= April 4, 1912 |page= 4 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Later that year, he was solicited to run for Wisconsin State Assembly on the Democratic Party ticket in what was then Winnebago County's 3rd Assembly district, but he did not enter the race.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-winnebago-count/150863963/ |title= E. J. Dempsey is Named |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= July 29, 1912 |page= 10 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
In 1914, he sought election as village president again but lost the election to Frank W. Stanley.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-omro-election/150867623/ |title= F. W. Stanley is Elected |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= April 8, 1914 |page= 3 |accessdate= July 8, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Days after the 1914 election, Keefe launched a criminal complaint against Charles H. Stevens, alleging he circulated false accusations against Keefe in the election, at the time this was prosecutable under the state's new corrupt practices act. The alleged false statement was that Keefe had accepted a $500 bribe from a brewery to allow them to open a saloon in Omro.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/portage-daily-register-keefe-election-la/150868943/ |title= Former Portage Attorney in Suit |newspaper= Portage Daily Register |date= April 10, 1914 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Stevens was convicted by a jury, but he appealed the conviction.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-stevens-convict/150870108/ |title= To Supreme Court |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= December 18, 1915 |page= 3 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
Keefe moved to Oshkosh later that year. In the fall of 1914, he was elected chairman of the Winnebago County Democratic Party,<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-elections/150870982/ |title= Name for Campaign |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= September 23, 1914 |page= 5 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> and served in that role for several years. After the 1914 fall election, he was hired as Winnebago County's first assistant district attorney, under district attorney Daniel E. McDonald.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-keefe-ada/150872651/ |title= Mr. Keefe is Named |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= December 24, 1914 |page= 3 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-county-officers/150870355/ |title= County Officers Go In |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= January 4, 1915 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> McDonald declined to run again in 1916, and Keefe stood as the Democratic candidate for district attorney. He lost the general election to Republican David K. Allen.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-election-result/150871762/ |title= Ballot in County, it is Republican |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= November 8, 1916 |page= 9 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref><ref name="1916gen">{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-winnebago-count/150878754/ |title= Statement of the Votes Cast in Winnebago County Nov. 7th, 1916 |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= December 9, 1916 |page= 11 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
In subsequent years, Keefe became increasingly active in local affairs and civic groups. He served on the city draft board after the United States entered {{nowrap|World War I;}}<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-draft-board/150873587/ |title= To Advise on Draft |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= December 10, 1917 |page= 10 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> he was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and was president of the local Kiwanis.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-kiwanis/150873424/ |title= After Big Speaker |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= February 28, 1918 |page=4 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> He also partnered with Henry Barber in his law practice, under the firm name Barber {{nowrap|& Keefe.}}
In 1912, Oshkosh had adopted a different form of municipal government, where the councilmembers were elected at large. Keefe championed a movement to return to the traditional city council model of aldermanic districts, but was ultimately unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-municipal-gover/150875045/ |title= Petition on File Calling for Vote Upon the Recall |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= December 30, 1918 |page= 3 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-municipal-gover/150875320/ |title= That Recall Petition |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= February 19, 1919 |page= 6 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
Keefe attended Woodrow Wilson's 2nd inauguration in 1917, and spoke vigorously in defense of the Democratic Party agenda as late as the spring of 1920.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-politics/150876871/ |title= Talk of Politics |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= June 3, 1920 |page= 3 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> It was a surprise two months later when Keefe sought the Republican Party nomination for district attorney, challenging the incumbent David K. Allen. In a statement, Keefe acknowledged his past association with the Democratic Party and explained that he had always considered himself an independent. He further suggested that the party platforms had very little difference as of 1920.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-frank-keefe/150877336/ |title= A Plain Statement from Frank B. Keefe |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= August 2, 1920 |page= 2 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Allen won the primary.<ref name="1920pri">{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-winnebago-count/150878230/ |title= The Electors of the County of Winnebago thus Declared their Preference in the Primary Election |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= September 8, 1920 |page= 12 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Two years later, Keefe challenged Allen again, and lost a third time.<ref name="1922pri">{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-record-nominations/150879331/ |title= Carlson Given Nomination for County Sheriff |newspaper= The Daily News-Times |date= September 6, 1922 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>
As a new member of the Republican Party, Keefe identified with the progressive wing. When Wisconsin U.S. senator Robert M. La Follette ran for the presidency in 1924 on the Progressive Party ticket, Keefe supported him.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-record-keefe-lafollette/150879928/ |title= Keefe Will Speak for "Fighting Bob" |newspaper= The Daily News-Times |date= November 3, 1924 |page= 5 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
===District attorney=== In 1926, district attorney David K. Allen announced he would not run again. Keefe entered the race to succeed him; he defeated assistant district attorney R. Curtis Laus and former Menasha city attorney Silas L. Spengler in the Republican primary.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-record-nominations/150881602/ |title= White Defeats Dennhardt for State Senate; Larson is Assembly Winner |newspaper= The Daily News-Times |date= September 8, 1926 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> He faced no opposition in the general election.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-sample-ballot/150882843/ |title= Sample Ballot and Information for Voting |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= November 1, 1926 |page= 11 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
In his first term as district attorney, Keefe took down two of the county's highest ranking elected officials. He brought charges of corruption and mismanagement against Winnebago County sheriff Walter F. Plummer in the fall of 1927. He concluded, however, that he had no legal recourse against the sheriff, so instead made his case to the governor, Fred R. Zimmerman, who was empowered to remove sheriffs for cause.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-charges-against/150887271/ |title= District Attorney Will Lay Charges Before Governor |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= November 26, 1927 |page= 14 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Three weeks of hearings were held in early 1928, in which it was detailed that the sheriff had accepted bribes for protection of speakeasies operating during Prohibition, and had separately used confiscated alcohol from other prohibition-related raids for parties and "orgies" held at the county jail, and had otherwise abused his authority over the jail. Zimmermann stripped Plummer of his office.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-sheriff-fired/150888683/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-sheriff-fired/150888683/ |title= Governor Ousts Plummer; Appoints Hubblewhite as Sheriff |newspaper= The Capital Times |date= March 31, 1928 |page= 2 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Keefe followed that act by arresting and indicting the chairman of the Winnebago County board, George A. Loescher. Loescher was charged with self-dealing in contracts for the county's Sunnyview sanatorium and Hicks Memorial Home over ten years.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-loescher-charge/150889157/ |title= Charges Against Loescher |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= May 18, 1928 |page= 9 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Loescher ultimately made a plea deal, pleading ''nolo contendere'', resigning from office, and paying a penalty.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-record-loescher-nolo/150889401/ |title= Resignation of Loescher is Tendered |newspaper= The Daily News-Times |date= October 16, 1928 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
Keefe was subsequently re-elected in 1928 and 1930. He announced in March 1932 that he would not run for a fourth term.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-times-reporter-keefe-reelection/150890560/ |title= Not to Seek Re-election |newspaper= The Two Rivers Reporter and Chronicle |date= March 11, 1932 |page= 8 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
After leaving office, Keefe returned to his legal practice, then known as Barber, Keefe, Patri, & Horwitz. In December 1933, however, he was appointed to serve as a special prosecutor for the neighboring Outagamie County district attorney in an investigation of financial irregularities in county agencies.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-keefe-special-prosecut/150890915/ |title= Wheeler Appoints Keefe to Conduct John Doe Action |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= December 30, 1933 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Keefe delivered his report two months later, detailing self-dealing and rigged bidding practices in the county highway department; he named several local and county elected officials as complicit in the scheme, and also accused several others of being negligent in their oversight responsibilities.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-crescent-keefe-charges-highway/150891265/ |title= Unethical Business PRacitces in County Affairs, Keefe Charges in John Doe Report |newspaper= The Post-Crescent |date= February 14, 1934 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 7, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> During these years he also became president of the county bar and a member of the board of governors of the state bar.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-state-bar/151024258/ |title= Wisconsin Rapids Man Elected Head of State Bar Body |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= July 2, 1936 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 9, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
==Congress== Although Keefe had supported La Follette in his independent Progressive Party bid for the presidency in 1924, when La Follette's sons broke off from the Republican Party of Wisconsin and created the Wisconsin Progressive Party in 1934, Keefe remained with the Republican Party. thumb|right|Wisconsin's 6th congressional district 1932–1963 In 1936, Keefe made his first run for U.S. House of Representatives after he was endorsed by the 6th congressional district Republican convention.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-keefe-congress/151025035/ |title= Keefe for Congress |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= July 28, 1936 |page= 6 |accessdate= July 9, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Despite the strong endorsement from the delegates, he still faced a primary against former state senator Albert J. Pullen.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-keefe-pullen-pr/151026012/ |title= Reports from Fond du Lac |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= August 4, 1936 |page= 2 |accessdate= July 9, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Keefe won the primary with two thirds of the vote.<ref name="1937elex">{{Cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/XHRYO3YEVDUIK8X |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1937 |year= 1937 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Ohm |editor-first1= Howard F. |editor-last2= Bryhan |editor-first2= Leone G. |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AXHRYO3YEVDUIK8X/full/AHPJ2GAVRQ6M3L8H 353], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AXHRYO3YEVDUIK8X/full/AYPWGYSTVPUG4C86 426] |accessdate= July 9, 2024 }}</ref> In the general election, Keefe faced incumbent Democrat Michael Reilly, running for his fourth consecutive term, and a third party challenge from Progressive Adam F. Poltl, who was then the mayor of Hartford, Wisconsin. Much of the race was a debate over national policies of the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration. Keefe attacked Roosevelt for wasteful spending, broken promises, and radicalism, saying his farm policies were destroying domestic farm products and lowering the tariff barrier to foreign imports.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-keefe-campaign/151054693/ |title= Roosevelt Flayed by F. B. Keefe for Broken Promises |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= September 2, 1936 |page= 4 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Keefe also tried throughout the fall to engage Reilly in a debate, but Reilly avoided it and mocked the request. Reilly also accused Keefe of trying to obfuscate his party affiliation and avoid mention of the Republican presidential nominee Alf Landon.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-reilly-keefe-ca/151057122/ |title= Reilly Attacks Frank B. Keefe in Menasha Talk |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= October 29, 1936 |page= 15 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Reilly narrowly won the election, taking 39% of the vote in the three-way race.<ref name="1937elex"/>
Keefe ran again in the 1938 midterm. This time he faced no opponent for the Republican nomination, but still saw unusually high turnout at the primary. He faced Reilly and Poltl again in the general election.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-primary-results/151061269/ |title= F. B. Keefe Polls Outstanding Vote in Oshkosh City |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= September 21, 1938 |page= 11 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Keefe doubled down on his attacks on the Roosevelt administration, calling him a "dictator" over his court packing and government reorganization plans, but softened his opposition to several New Deal policies such as the Works Progress Administration and the Public Works Administration. Keefe also feuded openly with the press, particularly the editor of the ''Sheboygan Press''.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-keefe-campaign/151068347/ |title= Keefe Attacks Roosevelt as Dictator in Address Here |newspaper= The Sheboygan Press |date= September 16, 1938 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Another major issue in the 1938 election was the Townsend Plan, an alternative social security proposal; Keefe eventually endorsed the plan.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-keefe-campaign/151068796/ |title= Townsend Plan Favored in Address by Attorney Keefe |newspaper= The Sheboygan Press |date= October 21, 1938 |page= 5 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> The 1938 election saw a Republican wave; Keefe defeated Reilly, Poltl, and a fourth candidate from the short-lived Union Party, taking an outright majority of the vote in the general election.<ref name="1940elex">{{Cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/5YLAAJEI53TTB8Q |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1940 |year= 1940 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Ohm |editor-first1= Howard F. |editor-last2= Bryhan |editor-first2= Leone G. |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A5YLAAJEI53TTB8Q/full/AD33OGGRYMMNRS8L 543], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A5YLAAJEI53TTB8Q/full/AMEII6MEMY6GFX87 613] |accessdate= July 10, 2024 }}</ref>
During the 76th Congress, Keefe embraced the work of the House Un-American Activities Committee and became a vocal anti-communist, with increasingly hostile rhetoric toward the Roosevelt administration.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-menasha-record-keefe-huac/151074287/ |title= Waging Fight on Communism |newspaper= The Menasha Record |date= December 19, 1939 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-keefe/151081821/ |title= Keefe in Address sees Danger from Fifth Columnists |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= May 22, 1940 |page= 4 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Keefe was also outspoken and voted repeatedly to maintain strict U.S. neutrality as Europe spiraled into {{nowrap|World War II.}}<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-keefe-ww2-neutr/151074780/ |title= Strict Neutrality Sentiment Voiced by Frank B. Keefe |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= March 29, 1939 |page= 3 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> During the Congress, he also voted for the creation of American concentration camps, intended for the detention of aliens whose country of origin would not readmit them. Keefe said of the measure, "If we detain American citizens who are unable to cope with conditions, why not detain aliens?"<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-concentration-ca/152603718/ |title= Only 3 Badgers Oppose Concentration Camps |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= May 6, 1939 |page= 2 |accessdate= August 3, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
In early 1940, Keefe flirted with a run for United States Senate, to challenge incumbent Robert M. La Follette Jr., but he ultimately chose to run for re-election to the House instead.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-keefe-senate/151081520/ |title= Keefe Endorsed for Senate Post by G.O.P. Group |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= May 8, 1940 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Keefe easily won his second term with 57% of the vote in the 1940 election.<ref name="1942elex">{{Cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/GPUOJWPI5SXM38W |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1942 |year= 1942 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Ohm |editor-first1= Howard F. |editor-last2= Bryhan |editor-first2= Leone G. |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AGPUOJWPI5SXM38W/full/AALDAYDFD7HBL28W 585], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AGPUOJWPI5SXM38W/full/A2OWQWISVCMUAK8O 663] |accessdate= July 10, 2024 }}</ref>
In the 77th Congress, Keefe was appointed to the powerful House Appropriations Committee, and remained a member of that committee for the rest of his career in Congress. He continued his opposition to all aide to countries participating in {{nowrap|World War II}}, saying that Lend-Lease would be tantamount to a declaration of war.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-keefe-ww2-oppos/151084594/ |title= Keefe Asserts He Fears Results of Lend-Lease Bill |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= March 18, 1941 |page= 4 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> His position shifted dramatically after the Attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Keefe then embraced the war effort, but spent much of 1942 attempting to justify his previous anti-war position.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-keefe/151087906/ |title= Congressman Frank B. Keefe Takes Issue with Editorial |newspaper= The Sheboygan Press |date= January 17, 1942 |page= 16 |accessdate= July 10, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Nevertheless, Keefe won his third term in 1942 by his largest margin yet, taking 62% of the vote.<ref name="1944elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/5MPC2C75NJZEK8Z |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1944 |year= 1944 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Ohm |editor-first1= Howard F. |editor-last2= Kuehn |editor-first2= Hazel L. |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A5MPC2C75NJZEK8Z/full/AH5CGA4GSEURE482 510], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A5MPC2C75NJZEK8Z/full/AA6QNHUEAQYVJ58A 578] |accessdate= July 10, 2024 }}</ref>
Keefe won three more terms, serving until January 1951.<ref name="1946elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/QVJ6L7MLLNNJK8H |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1946 |year= 1946 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Ohm |editor-first1= Howard F. |editor-last2= Kuehn |editor-first2= Hazel L. |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AQVJ6L7MLLNNJK8H/full/AOQDGZIO3JYOLY8F 597], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AQVJ6L7MLLNNJK8H/full/AP4A2CK4HFMMRC8Z 671] |accessdate= July 11, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="1948elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/M65CYC7ECEXCX9D |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1948 |year= 1948 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Ohm |editor-first1= Howard F. |editor-last2= Kuehn |editor-first2= Hazel L. |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AM65CYC7ECEXCX9D/full/AXQNVX334FD5ZA8I 606], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AM65CYC7ECEXCX9D/full/ATLXGSO3OE2BKU8B 677] |accessdate= July 11, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="1950elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/CKSBXV5IMWXXJ8I |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1950 |year= 1950 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Ohm |editor-first1= Howard F. |editor-last2= Kuehn |editor-first2= Hazel L. |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ACKSBXV5IMWXXJ8I/full/AYFYY4Z3JZ6C4W9D 653], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ACKSBXV5IMWXXJ8I/full/ANRESJ4B3WSQ6K8U 755] |accessdate= July 11, 2024 }}</ref> In the 79th Congress, he was appointed to the Joint Committee on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack.
In 1950, Keefe announced he would retire from Congress, but Wisconsin press speculated that this was in preparation for a run for U.S. Senate or Governor in 1952.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-keefe/151104669/ |title= Keefe Seen Quitting House, Not Politics |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= May 5, 1950 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 11, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> It's unknown if Keefe would have launched a campaign; on February 6, 1952, Keefe collapsed and died of a heart attack after giving a speech at a women's luncheon club in Neenah, Wisconsin.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-obituary-for-frank-b/151104743/ |title= Former Rep. Frank Keefe, 64, Collapses, Dies After Speech |newspaper= The Capital Times |date= February 6, 1952 |page= 2 |accessdate= July 11, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
==Personal life and family== Frank Keefe was the third of eight children born to Thomas Martin and Kathryn Rogene (''{{nee}}'' Forsythe) Keefe. Thomas Keefe was a child of Irish American immigrants, and one of the earliest settler families in Winnebago County; Thomas's elder brother was described as the first white child born in the town of Poygan, Wisconsin.
On December 13, 1912, Frank Keefe married Mildred Virginia Steele of Ripon, Wisconsin. They had three children together and were married for forty years before his death in 1952.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-obituary-for-mi/151103809/ |title= Mrs. Keefe, 71, Congressman's Widow, is Dead |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= March 11, 1966 |page= 3 |accessdate= July 11, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>
==Electoral history== ===U.S. House of Representatives (1936–1948)===
{| class=wikitable |- ! Year ! Election ! Date !! colspan="4"| Elected !! colspan="4"| Defeated ! Total ! Plurality |- ! rowspan="3" valign="top" | 1936<ref name="1937elex"/> | valign="top" | Primary | valign="top" |{{nowrap|Sep. 15}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frank B. Keefe'''}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 11,659 | valign="top" align="right" | 66.07% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Albert J. Pullen}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 5,988 | valign="top" align="right" | 33.93% | valign="top" align="right" | 17,647 | valign="top" align="right" | 5,671 |- | rowspan="2" valign="top" | General | rowspan="2" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 3}} | rowspan="2" valign="top" | {{nowrap|Michael Reilly (inc)}} | rowspan="2" valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 41,688 | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 39.33% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frank B. Keefe'''}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 38,904 | valign="top" align="right" | 36.71% | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 105,987 | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 2,784 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Adam F. Poltl}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Progressive (Wisconsin)}} | Prog. | valign="top" align="right" | 25,395 | valign="top" align="right" | 23.96% |- ! rowspan="3" valign="top" | 1938<ref name="1940elex"/> | rowspan="3" valign="top" | General | rowspan="3" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 8}} | rowspan="3" valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frank B. Keefe'''}} | rowspan="3" valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 46,082 | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 53.59% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Michael Reilly (inc)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 25,842 | valign="top" align="right" | 30.06% | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 85,982 | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 20,240 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Adam F. Poltl}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Progressive (Wisconsin)}} | Prog. | valign="top" align="right" | 13,258 | valign="top" align="right" | 15.42% |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Joseph Willihnganz}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Union}} | Union | valign="top" align="right" | 800 | valign="top" align="right" | 0.93% |- ! rowspan="2" valign="top" | 1940<ref name="1942elex"/> | rowspan="2" valign="top" | General | rowspan="2" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 5}} | rowspan="2" valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frank B. Keefe''' (inc)}} | rowspan="2" valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 66,821 | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 57.42% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Jacob A. Fessler}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 30,162 | valign="top" align="right" | 25.92% | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 116,371 | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 36,659 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Walter D. Corrigan Sr.}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Progressive (Wisconsin)}} | Prog. | valign="top" align="right" | 19,387 | valign="top" align="right" | 16.66% |- ! rowspan="3" valign="top" | 1942<ref name="1944elex"/> | rowspan="3" valign="top" | General | rowspan="3" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 3}} | rowspan="3" valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frank B. Keefe''' (inc)}} | rowspan="3" valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 41,385 | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 62.18% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Eugene Schallern}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 13,364 | valign="top" align="right" | 20.08% | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 66,556 | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 28,021 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Adam F. Poltl}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Progressive (Wisconsin)}} | Prog. | valign="top" align="right" | 10,645 | valign="top" align="right" | 15.99% |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John C. Boll}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Socialist}} | Soc. | valign="top" align="right" | 1,157 | valign="top" align="right" | 1.74% |- ! rowspan="2" valign="top" | 1944<ref name="1946elex"/> | rowspan="2" valign="top" | General | rowspan="2" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 7}} | rowspan="2" valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frank B. Keefe''' (inc)}} | rowspan="2" valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 74,487 | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 66.54% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Henry Danes}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 36,180 | valign="top" align="right" | 32.32% | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 111,950 | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 38,307 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John C. Boll}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Socialist}} | Soc. | valign="top" align="right" | 1,282 | valign="top" align="right" | 1.15% |- ! rowspan="2" valign="top" | 1946<ref name="1948elex"/> | rowspan="2" valign="top" | General | rowspan="2" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 5}} | rowspan="2" valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frank B. Keefe''' (inc)}} | rowspan="2" valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 58,444 | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 64.21% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Edwin W. Webster}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 31,550 | valign="top" align="right" | 34.66% | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 91,023 | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 26,894 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Rudolph Renn}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Socialist}} | Soc. | valign="top" align="right" | 991 | valign="top" align="right" | 1.09% |- ! rowspan="2" valign="top" | 1948<ref name="1950elex"/> | rowspan="2" valign="top" | General | rowspan="2" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Nov. 2}} | rowspan="2" valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''Frank B. Keefe''' (inc)}} | rowspan="2" valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 60,675 | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 55.51% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Kenneth Kunde}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 47,844 | valign="top" align="right" | 43.77% | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 109,312 | rowspan="2" valign="top" align="right" | 12,831 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Rudolph Renn}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Socialist}} | Soc. | valign="top" align="right" | 793 | valign="top" align="right" | 0.73% |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{CongBio|K000041}}
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-hs}} {{US House succession box| state=Wisconsin|district=6|before=Michael Reilly|years=January 3, 1939 - January 3, 1951|after=William Van Pelt }} {{s-legal}} {{s-bef|before = David K. Allen }} {{s-ttl|title = District Attorney of Winnebago County, Wisconsin |years= January 1, 1927{{spnd}}January 1, 1933 }} {{s-aft|after = R. C. Laus }} {{s-end}} {{USCongRep-start|congresses=76th–81st United States Congresses|state=Wisconsin}} {{USCongRep/WI/76}} {{USCongRep/WI/77}} {{USCongRep/WI/78}} {{USCongRep/WI/79}} {{USCongRep/WI/80}} {{USCongRep/WI/81}} {{USCongRep-end}} {{United States representatives from Wisconsin}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Keefe, Frank Bateman}} Category:1887 births Category:1952 deaths Category:People from Winneconne, Wisconsin Category:People from Viroqua, Wisconsin Category:Politicians from Vernon County, Wisconsin Category:People from Portage, Wisconsin Category:Politicians from Columbia County, Wisconsin Category:People from Omro, Wisconsin Category:Politicians from Oshkosh, Wisconsin Category:University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh alumni Category:University of Michigan Law School alumni Category:District attorneys in Wisconsin Category:Republican Party United States representatives from Wisconsin Category:20th-century Wisconsin politicians Category:American people of Irish descent Category:20th-century United States representatives