Joseph Klein


Joseph Klein was an American machinist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who served one term as a Socialist member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Background

Klein was born in Hungary in 1886, and received his education in the
common schools of that country. In 1903 he moved to the United States, coming directly to Milwaukee. He became a machinist and eventually found a long-term job with the Chicago & Milwaukee Railway. He became active in the trade union movement and the Milwaukee Socialist party.

Public office

He served as a Milwaukee County deputy sheriff from 1914 to 1916. He was elected to the Assembly's Second Milwaukee County district in 1918 to succeed Republican William A. Campbell, receiving 658 votes to 627 for William Mielahn and 581 for Democrat Carl Heim. He was assigned to the standing committee on labor.
He ran for re-election in 1920, but was defeated by Republican Martin M. Higgins, with 1,206 to 2,185 for Higgins.