Harvey Vanzandt Higley (October 26, 1892 – October 15, 1986) was born in Cheshire, Ohio, and studied chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, graduating in October 1915.[1] After serving in World War I he went to work for the Ansul Chemical Company of Marinette, Wisconsin, which specialized in making fire retardant chemicals. Higley eventually became the company's president (1938–48)[2] and chairman of the board.[3]

Harvey Higley
Administrator of Veterans Affairs
In office
July 22, 1953 – November 13, 1957
PresidentDwight Eisenhower
Preceded byCarl Gray
Succeeded bySumner Whittier
Personal details
Born
Harvey Vanzandt Higley

(1893-02-12)February 12, 1893
Cheshire, Ohio, U.S.
DiedOctober 15, 1986(1986-10-15) (aged 93)
Marinette, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison (BS)

Higley was also active in politics and veteran's affairs. He joined the American Legion and served as Wisconsin State Commander from 1941 to 1942.[4] From 1947 to 1953 he was chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. In July 1953 President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Higley to be the Administrator of Veterans Affairs,[5][6] where he helped to establish Veterans Day as a US Holiday.[7] Higley held the position until November 1957 when he retired and returned to Wisconsin.[5]

Higley died on October 15, 1986.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Wisconsin alumnus Volume 88, Number 2 (Jan. 1987)
  2. ^ "ANSUL: Who We Are" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-09-17. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  3. ^ a b The New York Times Obituaries: Harvey V. Higley
  4. ^ "The Wisconsin engineer" Volume 46, Number 6 (March 1942)
  5. ^ a b "Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Public Affairs. "Facts about the Department of Veterans Affairs" (January 2009)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-07-26.
  6. ^ Federal Records Division, National Archives and Records Administration. United States Government Organization Manual, 1956–1957. Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office. 1956 -1957. p. 522
  7. ^ "Marinette EagleHerald, November 9, 2008, "Higley helped establish Veterans Day"". Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2009.
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Political offices
Preceded by Administrator of Veterans Affairs
1953–1957
Succeeded by