{{Short description|American politician (1905–1996)}} {{about||the American modified racing driver|Billy Van Pelt}} <!-- Deleted image removed: right|thumb|150px|William K. Van Pelt --> {{Infobox officeholder | name = William Van Pelt | image = William Van Pelt.jpg | state = Wisconsin | district = {{ushr|Wisconsin|6|6th}} | term_start = January 3, 1951 | term_end = January 3, 1965 | predecessor = Frank Bateman Keefe | successor = John Abner Race | party = Republican | birth_date = {{birth date|1905|3|10}} | birth_place = Glenbeulah, Wisconsin, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|1996|6|2|1905|3|10}} | death_place = Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, U.S. | resting_place = Rienzi Cemetery, {{nowrap|Fond du Lac}} | spouse = {{unbulleted list | {{marriage|Sophia Cornelia Schmidt|1931|1962|end=died}} | {{marriage|Anne Trimble |1962|1994|end=died}} }} | children = {{unbulleted list | Peter | Julie Ann }} | relatives = Clayton F. Van&nbsp;Pelt (brother) | occupation = Businessman }} '''William Kaiser Van Pelt''' (March 10, 1905{{spnd}}June 2, 1996) was an American businessman and Republican politician from Fond&nbsp;du&nbsp;Lac, Wisconsin. He served 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin's 6th congressional district from 1951 to 1965. He served on the House Science & Astronautics Committee during the first years of the space race.

==Early life and career== William Van Pelt was born in Glenbeulah, Wisconsin. As a child, he moved with his family to Fond&nbsp;du&nbsp;Lac, Wisconsin, where he resided for most of the rest of his life. He graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1923.<ref name="wihist">{{Cite web|url= https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS13936 |title= Van Pelt, William K. 1905 |website= Wisconsin Historical Society |accessdate= July 5, 2024 }}</ref>

In 1939, he became a co-owner of the City Fuel Company in Fond du Lac, a retail fuel seller. He operated the company in partnership with his wife until 1952. During that time he was also increasingly active in the Republican Party of Wisconsin, and served six years as chairman of the {{nowrap|Fond du Lac County}} Republican Party.<ref name="wihist"/>

==Political career== He was elected as a delegate to the 1944 Republican National Convention, pledged to support governor Harold Stassen.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-presidential-de/150721687/ |title= Dewey Appears Choice to Oppose Roosevelt in Fall |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= April 5, 1944 |page= 11 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> He supported Stassen as a delegate again at the 1948 convention.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram-presidential-delegates/150722016/ |title= 27 Alternate GOP Delegates are Approved |newspaper= Eau Claire Leader-Telegram |date= April 30, 1948 |page= 7 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

Van Pelt made his first run for public office in 1950, when he ran for U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 6th congressional district, to succeed Frank Bateman Keefe, who had announced his retirement.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-candidates/150722622/ |title= Caucus Votes Against Endorsing Candidates |newspaper= The Sheboygan Press |date= May 26, 1950 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> He faced a difficult primary against state senator Louis&nbsp;J. Fellenz&nbsp;Jr.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-candidates/150722863/ |title= Wiley Gets GOP Foe at Deadline on Filing |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= July 26, 1950 |page= 3 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Despite two other candidates in the primary, the race was largely seen as a contest between Fellenz and Van&nbsp;Pelt, who were both scions of prominent {{nowrap|Fond du Lac}} families. They had no serious policy disagreements, so attacked each other's qualifications. Van&nbsp;Pelt alleged that Fellenz's absences during the 68th Wisconsin Legislature demonstrated a lack of fidelity to his constituents; Fellenz pointed out that Van&nbsp;Pelt lacked any actual legislative experience.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-vanpelt-fellenz/150725106/ |title= Tossup Seen in 6th District |first= Winter |last= Everett |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= September 10, 1950 |page= 22 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Van&nbsp;Pelt won the primary with 36% of the vote, thanks to strong support in Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties.<ref name="1950pri">{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-congressional-p/150728678/ |title= Van Pelt, Kunde Nominees in Sixth Congressional District |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= September 20, 1950 |page= 4 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> In the general election he easily defeated Kenneth Kunde of Oshkosh.<ref name="1952elex">{{cite report|url=https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/7UFC4I5EZMQLN8H |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1952 |year= 1952 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Toepel |editor-first1= M. G. |editor-last2= Kuehn |editor-first2= Hazel L. |chapter= Parties and Elections |page= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A7UFC4I5EZMQLN8H/full/A3TCXBECUON7UX8W 746] |accessdate= July 5, 2024 }}</ref>

He won re-election six times, serving from January&nbsp;3, 1951, till January&nbsp;3, 1965. He voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/85-1957/h42|title=HR 6127. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1957.|work=GovTrack.us}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/86-1960/h102|title=HR 8601. PASSAGE.}}</ref> but voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/88-1964/h128|title=H.R. 7152. PASSAGE.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/88-1964/h182|title=H.R. 7152. CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION (H. RES. 789) PROVIDING FOR HOUSE APPROVAL OF THE BILL AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/87-1962/h193|title=S.J. RES. 29. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO BAN THE USE OF POLL TAX AS A REQUIREMENT FOR VOTING IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS.|work=GovTrack.us}}</ref>

In 1964, he faced a difficult primary challenge from popular young Winnebago County district attorney Jack&nbsp;D. Steinhilber. Steinhilber attacked Van Pelt for a poor attendance record in the 88th Congress, but had no significant policy differences.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-congressional-p/150731996/ |title= Representative Contest is Most Spirited Race |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= September 4, 1964 |page= 4 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref> Van Pelt prevailed in the primary but lost his seat in the Democratic wave election of 1964. He fell 2,587 votes short of union machinist John&nbsp;A. Race.<ref name="1966elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/NICGVB65P4ZNO8M |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1966 |year= 1966 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ANICGVB65P4ZNO8M/full/AGJMUCUTNYGFVD8T 735], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ANICGVB65P4ZNO8M/full/AHU3UOM2LD77WT9B 752] |accessdate= July 5, 2024 }}</ref>

==Personal life and family== William Van Pelt was the fourth of five children born to George and May M. (''{{nee}}'' Lyon) Van&nbsp;Pelt.<ref name="obit-fdl">{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-reporter-obituary-for-william-k-van/150719611/ |title= William K. Van Pelt |newspaper= Fond du Lac Reporter |date= June 4, 1996 |page= 12 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref> George Van&nbsp;Pelt worked as a farmer and factory laborer.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oshkosh-northwestern-obituary-for-ge/150720601/ |title= Rep. Van Pelt's Father Dies at 101 |newspaper= Oshkosh Northwestern |date= October 5, 1964 |page= 2 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 }}</ref> William's elder brother Clayton Van&nbsp;Pelt served 15 years as a Wisconsin circuit court judge.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-reporter-obituary-for-clayton-f-van/150734363/ |title= Home Rites Planned for Head of Firm |newspaper= Fond du Lac Reporter |date= November 2, 1966 |page= 40 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 |via= Newspapers.com }}</ref>

William Van Pelt married twice; his first wife was Sophia Cornelia Schmidt. They married in 1931 and raised two children before Sophia's death in January 1962. That November, Van&nbsp;Pelt married Anne Trimble, who was then working as a clerk at the United&nbsp;States Capitol.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-vanpelt-trimble/150720203/ |title= Van Pelt to Wed Capitol Hill Clerk |newspaper= Wisconsin State Journal |date= November 13, 1962 |page= 1 |accessdate= July 5, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com }}</ref>

Van Pelt had a quiet retirement after leaving office. He returned to {{nowrap|Fond du Lac}} and resided there and at his lake home in Boulder Junction Wisconsin until his death on June 2, 1996.<ref name="obit-fdl"/>

==Electoral history== ===U.S. House (1950&ndash;1964)=== {| class=wikitable |- ! Year ! Election ! Date !! colspan="4"| Elected !! colspan="4"| Defeated ! Total ! Plurality |- ! rowspan="4" valign="top" | 1950 | rowspan="3" valign="top" | Primary<ref name="1950pri"/> | rowspan="3" valign="top" |{{nowrap|Sep. 19}} | rowspan="3" valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''William Van Pelt'''}} | rowspan="3" valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 15,368 | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 36.28% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Louis J. Fellenz Jr.}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 12,126 | valign="top" align="right" | 28.63% | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 42,358 | rowspan="3" valign="top" align="right" | 3,242 |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Francis L. McElligott}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 8,037 | valign="top" align="right" | 18.97% |- | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John P. Doherty}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 6,827 | valign="top" align="right" | 16.12% |- | valign="top" | General<ref name="1952elex"/> | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Nov. 7}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''William Van Pelt'''}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 66,289 | valign="top" align="right" | 65.05% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Kenneth Kunde}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 35,618 | valign="top" align="right" | 34.95% | valign="top" align="right" | 101,908 | valign="top" align="right" | 30,671 |- ! valign="top" | 1952 | valign="top" | General<ref name="1954elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/N6Q3X3SXGLMTH8Z |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1954 |year= 1954 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Toepel |editor-first1= M. G. |editor-last2= Kuehn |editor-first2= Hazel L. |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AN6Q3X3SXGLMTH8Z/full/AQY5M6PTC5D6LX8M 658], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AN6Q3X3SXGLMTH8Z/full/ARYP52B5UOYTZR8I 758] |accessdate= July 5, 2024 }}</ref> | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Nov. 4}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''William Van Pelt''' (inc)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 103,464 | valign="top" align="right" | 71.66% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Ralph A. Norem}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 40,910 | valign="top" align="right" | 28.34% | valign="top" align="right" | 144,374 | valign="top" align="right" | 62,554 |- ! valign="top" | 1954 | valign="top" | General<ref name="1956elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/TT2C657GYH2FO85 |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1956 |year= 1956 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Toepel |editor-first1= M. G. |editor-last2= Kuehn |editor-first2= Hazel L. |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ATT2C657GYH2FO85/full/AE54P4ZZEC2IUG8S 705], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ATT2C657GYH2FO85/full/AU3YI2KIPAFYG78B 748] |accessdate= July 5, 2024 }}</ref> | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Nov. 2}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''William Van Pelt''' (inc)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 68,653 | valign="top" align="right" | 62.50% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Russell S. Johnson}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 41,191 | valign="top" align="right" | 37.50% | valign="top" align="right" | 109,844 | valign="top" align="right" | 27,462 |- ! valign="top" | 1956 | valign="top" | General<ref name="1958elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/2BH4FP76N6HMK8V |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1958 |year= 1958 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Toepel |editor-first1= M. G. |editor-last2= Kuehn |editor-first2= Hazel L. |chapter= Parties and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A2BH4FP76N6HMK8V/full/AM4SB2KMK2B5C68O 669], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A2BH4FP76N6HMK8V/full/AQKVWDQ5RZYDTR86 774] |accessdate= July 5, 2024 }}</ref> | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Nov. 6}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''William Van Pelt''' (inc)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 96,783 | valign="top" align="right" | 67.18% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Rudolph J. Ploetz}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 47,277 | valign="top" align="right" | 32.82% | valign="top" align="right" | 144,062 | valign="top" align="right" | 49,506 |- ! valign="top" | 1958 | valign="top" | General<ref name="1960elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/LRZ6UQ3SNASLD9C |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1960 |year= 1960 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Toepel |editor-first1= M. G. |editor-last2= Kuehn |editor-first2= Hazel L. |chapter= Wisconsin State Party Platforms and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ALRZ6UQ3SNASLD9C/full/A3UB6EWRAWA4PW83 655], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/ALRZ6UQ3SNASLD9C/full/ARNZGQI462CD3H8C 696] |accessdate= July 5, 2024 }}</ref> | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Nov. 4}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''William Van Pelt''' (inc)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 61,490 | valign="top" align="right" | 52.77% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|James Megellas}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 55,031 | valign="top" align="right" | 47.23% | valign="top" align="right" | 116,521 | valign="top" align="right" | 6,459 |- ! valign="top" | 1960 | valign="top" | General<ref name="1962elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/5BZZBS2FDP3LV8O |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1962 |year= 1962 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Library |editor-last1= Toepel |editor-first1= M. G. |editor-last2= Theobald |editor-first2= H. Rupert |chapter= Wisconsin State Party Platforms and Elections |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A5BZZBS2FDP3LV8O/full/AX7WID4OSDP4NO8Z 790], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A5BZZBS2FDP3LV8O/full/AZE7IUAJL75UDJ8T 865] |accessdate= July 5, 2024 }}</ref> | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Nov. 8}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''William Van Pelt''' (inc)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 91,450 | valign="top" align="right" | 55.80% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|James Megellas}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 72,442 | valign="top" align="right" | 44.20% | valign="top" align="right" | 163,892 | valign="top" align="right" | 19,008 |- ! valign="top" | 1962 | valign="top" | General<ref name="1964elex">{{cite report|url= https://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/XF6R5VAIXPXFS8Y |title= The Wisconsin Blue Book 1962 |year= 1962 |publisher= Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau |editor-last1= Theobald |editor-first1= H. Rupert |chapter= Elections in Wisconsin |pages= [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AXF6R5VAIXPXFS8Y/full/APJLIMCZN2ISW28J 714], [https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/AXF6R5VAIXPXFS8Y/full/A2TNDV6Q2U4MT284 761] |accessdate= July 5, 2024 }}</ref> | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Nov. 6}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''William Van Pelt''' (inc)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 71,298 | valign="top" align="right" | 59.15% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John A. Race}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Dem. | valign="top" align="right" | 49,238 | valign="top" align="right" | 40.85% | valign="top" align="right" | 120,538 | valign="top" align="right" | 22,060 |- ! rowspan="2" valign="top" | 1964 | valign="top" | Primary<ref name="1966elex"/> | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Sep. 8}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''William Van Pelt''' (inc)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican | valign="top" align="right" | 24,569 | valign="top" align="right" | 54.12% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Jack D. Steinhilber}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 20,827 | valign="top" align="right" | 45.88% | valign="top" align="right" | 45,396 | valign="top" align="right" | 3,742 |- | valign="top" | General<ref name="1966elex"/> | valign="top" | {{nowrap|Nov. 3}} | valign="top" | {{nowrap|John A. Race}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic | valign="top" align="right" | 84,690 | valign="top" align="right" | 50.77% | valign="top" | {{nowrap|'''William Van Pelt''' (inc)}} | valign="top" {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep. | valign="top" align="right" | 82,103 | valign="top" align="right" | 49.22% | valign="top" align="right" | 166,798 | valign="top" align="right" | 2,587 |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{CongBio|V000051}}

{{Bioguide}}

{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-hs}} {{US House succession box |state=Wisconsin|district=6|before=Frank Bateman Keefe|years=January 3, 1951 - January 3, 1965|after=John Abner Race }} {{s-end}} {{USCongRep-start|congresses=82nd–88th United States Congresses|state=Wisconsin}} {{USCongRep/WI/82}} {{USCongRep/WI/83}} {{USCongRep/WI/84}} {{USCongRep/WI/85}} {{USCongRep/WI/86}} {{USCongRep/WI/87}} {{USCongRep/WI/88}} {{USCongRep-end}} {{United States representatives from Wisconsin}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Van Pelt, William}} Category:1905 births Category:1996 deaths Category:People from Glenbeulah, Wisconsin Category:Politicians from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Category:Businesspeople from Wisconsin Category:Republican Party United States representatives from Wisconsin Category:20th-century American businesspeople Category:20th-century Wisconsin politicians Category:Burials at Rienzi Cemetery (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin) Category:20th-century United States representatives