J. Henry Stump

J. Henry Stump
Mayor of Reading, Pennsylvania
In office 1927–1931
Preceded by	William E. Sharman
Succeeded by	Heber Ermentrout[1]
In office 1935–1939
Preceded by	Heber Ermentrout
Succeeded by	Harry F. Menges
In office 1943–1947
Preceded by	Harry F. Menges[2]
Succeeded by	John F. David
Personal details
Born	John Henry Stump (1880-06-04)June 4, 1880
Died	May 15, 1949(1949-05-15) (aged 68)
Political party	Socialist Party of America (until 1938) Social Democratic Federation (after 1938)

John Henry Stump (June 4, 1880 – May 15, 1949) was an American cigar maker, labor advocate, and Socialist politician who served as Mayor of Reading, Pennsylvania.

Biography

John Henry Stump was born June 4, 1880, in Reading, Pennsylvania. He ended his education at the age of thirteen, as his father was in ill health and he needed to provide for the family. He was briefly apprenticed to a cigar maker, and worked in that industry throughout his life.

Stump joined the Socialist Party's local organization in 1902, and in 1918 became the business manager of the Labor Advocate, a weekly newspaper published by the Socialist Party of Berks County. He was the Socialist candidate for Reading City Council in 1911 and Mayor in 1919 and 1923. In 1927, Stump was elected mayor, with James H. Maurer and another socialist serving alongside him as city councilmen. This was significant, as Reading became one of the few cities with a majority socialist government.[3] Stump was defeated in his reelection, but regained his office in 1935 and again in 1943.[4]

Split with Socialist Party

Stump left the Socialist Party of America following the Old Guard faction's split and helped form the Social Democratic Federation in 1936. He served as vice-chair of the SDF along with John Shenton of Connecticut.

At the SDF's founding convention in 1937, Stump spoke critically of his former party, stating:

We came here because we could no longer square our Socialist conscience with remaining in the party which has fallen into the hands of disruptors, of people who do not believe in the idea and ideals of democratic Socialism. I am confident that at this convention we will build an organization that will truly represent these ideas.[5]

See also

• List of elected socialist mayors in the United States
• Mayor of Reading, Pennsylvania

References

1. “Independents Lose 3 Contests; Win Big Victory in Allegheny; Reading Socialists Ousted.” Allentown Morning Call, November 5, 1931.
2. Stump Back in Reading. (1943, November 3). The Morning Call, p. 17.
3. Reading Times, 2022. Years of Toil Behind Stump's Charity, Honesty. p.15.
4. Welch, E. B. (2014, April 15). J. Henry Stump. Berks History Center. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://www.berkshistory.org/multimedia/articles/j-henry-stump/
5. "Social Democrats Combine in New National Federation: Pittsburgh Meet Paves Road for Rebirth of Party" (PDF). The New Leader. Vol. 20, no. 23. June 5, 1937. pp. 1, 9.

External links

• J. Henry Stump: Reading's Most Memorable Mayor. By Edwin B. Yeich. Published by The Historical Society of Berks County. Article originally appeared in the Summer 1958 issue of the Historical Review of Berks County.
• In Milwaukee. Time Magazine. Monday, Jan. 23, 1928

Further reading

• Hendrickson, Jr. Kenneth E. The Socialist Administration in Reading, Pennsylvania, Part I, 1927-1931. Pennsylvania History. October, 1972. Link to article
• Hendrickson, Jr. Kenneth E. Triumph and Disaster: The Reading Socialists in Power and Decline, Part II, 1932-1939. Pennsylvania History. October, 1973. Link to article