Otto Wicke (December 23, 1864 – March 28, 1922) was a Danish-American pharmacist and politician.

Life

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Wicke was born on December 23, 1864, in Copenhagen, Denmark.[1] His parents were German.[2]

Wicke graduated from the University of Copenhagen School of Pharmacy. He immigrated to America in 1885 and settled in Brooklyn.[3] He then opened a drug store in Bushwick. He later organized a chain of 26 drug stores and was president of the Otto Wicke Company. He also owned the patents for several medicines.[1] He then sold all his stores and retired to Howard Beach.[4]

In 1897, Wicke was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Democrat, representing the Kings County 20th District. He served in the Assembly in 1898.[2] He was a close friend of Theodore Roosevelt, and he joined the Bull Moose Party upon its formation in 1912, organized the Party's headquarters in several parts of Brooklyn, and was a delegate to the 1912 Progressive National Convention.[1] In the 1914 United States House of Representatives election, he was the Progressive candidate for New York's 3rd congressional district. He lost to Joseph V. Flynn.[5]

Wicke's wife was Louise Moje. Their children were Otto Hugo and Mrs. Antonia Emma Whiting. He was a member of the Freemasons.[1]

Wicke died of arterio-sclerosis at home on March 28, 1922.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Otto Wicke, 67, Dies; Druggist Organizer". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Vol. 82, no. 87. New York, N.Y. 29 March 1922. p. 20 – via Brooklyn Public Library: Historical Newspapers.
  2. ^ a b Murlin, Edgar L. (1898). The New York Red Book. Albany, N.Y.: James B. Lyon. p. 270 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "Otto Wicke" (PDF). The New York Times. Vol. LXXI, no. 23441. New York, N.Y. 30 March 1922. p. 17.
  4. ^ "Otto Wicke". The Practical Druggist and Pharmaceutical Review of Reviews. XL (5). New York, N.Y.: Romaine Pierson: 44. May 1922 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Murlin, Edgar L. (1915). The New York Red Book. Albany, N.Y.: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 707 – via Google Books.
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New York State Assembly
Preceded by New York State Assembly
Kings County, 20th District

1898
Succeeded by