Legislator Details


Ernest George Nagel
AKA:
Number of sessions served 5
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 39

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 3/3/1893
City: Zurich
County:
Country: Switzerland
 
Death
Date: 7/26/1955
City: Dearborn, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 7/30/1955
City: Mount Clemens, MI
County: Macomb County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Clinton Grove Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Lena Behr around 1920; children: Shirley (Bernardelli), Mary Ann & Ernest ; listed as divorced in 1930 census

Number of Children: 2

Background

Religion:
Military Service: United States Army Air Corps
Occupation: automotive engineer, professional boxer, author
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
Attended school in Zurich & Springfield, Massachusetts; degree in engineering from Washington University, Seattle

Biographical Sketch:
He came to the United States at age 10, around 1911. Resident of Detroit 35 years. From 1909-1911, he was a sailor boy on boats, sailing from New York to San Francisco, to South America and Africa. Boxing champion of Michigan and Army Lightweight. He worked for the Wayne County Road Commission in 1942. Well known in automotive circles due to association with Eddie Rickenbacher & sales department of John H. Thompson Co. He was a balloonist in the Gordon Bennett race of 1927. Active in Swiss-German and French societies being the organizer and president of the Swiss-American society. Member of the F.& A.M., the Commandery and American Legion.

Notable Facts:
First sergeant in the air service during WWI and was discharged in May 1919. Author of "Rise and Fall of Famous Fighters". Was once Eddie Rickenbacker's chauffeur. One of several current and former legislators charged with bribery in 1944, though he was then out of office. Sentenced to 3-5 yrs. Military headstone application and Find-a-Grave give birth year as 1892.

Sessions Served:

Sixty-First Legislature, 1941-1942
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Apportionment , Institutions for State Wards, Military Affairs and Aviation, Public Health
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 1
District Description: 17th, 19th, and 21st wards of Detroit city, the townships of Gratiot and Grosse Point, and the city of Grosse Pointe

Date Elected: 11/5/1940
Date Sworn In: 1/1/1941
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Sixtieth Legislature, 1939-1940
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Agriculture , Federal Relations , Labor , Metropolitan Affairs
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: Wayne 1
District Description: Townships of Gratiot and Grosse Pointe; cities of Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Park and the city of Detroit in Wayne County

Date Elected: 11/8/1938
Date Sworn In: 1/4/1939
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: See Notes
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Elected to the state senate for the 61st session
Fifty-Ninth Legislature, 1937-1938
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Liquor Traffic , Metropolitan Affairs, Military Affairs , Roads and Bridges , Towns and Counties
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: Wayne 1
District Description: Townships of Gratiot and Grosse Pointe; cities of Grosse Pointe Sores, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Park and the city of Detroit in Wayne County

Date Elected: 11/3/1936
Date Sworn In: 1/6/1937
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Towns and Counties
Fifty-Eighth Legislature, 1935-1936
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Apportionment , Metropolitan Affairs, Michigan Home and Training School, Michigan State Prison , Roads and Bridges , State House of Correction & Branch of the State Prison in the Upper Peninsula
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: Wayne 1
District Description: Townships of Gratiot and Grosse Pointe; cities of Grosse Pointe Sores, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Park and the city of Detroit in Wayne County

Date Elected: 11/6/1934
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1935
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on the Michigan State Prison
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, 1933-1934
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Aeronautics, Conservation, Kalamazoo State Hospital , State House of Correction & Branch of the State Prison in the Upper Peninsula
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: Wayne 1
District Description: Townships of Gratiot and Grosse Point, and the city of Detroit

Date Elected: 11/8/1932
Date Sworn In: 1/4/1933
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:

Bibliography:

Manual 1941 p.667; Manual 1933 p.663; Manual 1935 p.715; Manual 1939 p.623; DFP 1/26/1944 p.1, includes photo; DFP 7/21/1946 p.12, includes photo; DFP 7/28/1955 p.13 col.1, includes photo; Find-a-Grave.com; USCen 1930; PolGryd
View Bibliographical Sources