Profile Text
bust-length portrait of Wilkie in 1940, Greystone Studio, Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs division
Birth Name: Lewis Wendell Willkie
Date of Birth: February 18, 1892
Place of Birth: Elwood, Indiana, U.S.
Date of Death: October 8, 1944
Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.
Ethnicity: German
Wendell Willkie was an American businessperson, corporate executive, and lawyer.
He was the Republican Party’s nominee for President of the United States in 1940 . He was also a candidate for the Republican Party’s 1944 presidential nomination.
Wendell had never run for public office before receiving the presidential nomination.
Wendell was the son of Henrietta (Trisch) and Herman Francis Willkie. His father was born in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany. His mother was born in Indiana, to German parents.
He was married to librarian Edith (Wilk), with whom he had a son.
Wendell’s paternal grandfather was named Joseph Wilhelm Willke (the son of Friedrich Willeke).
Wendell’s paternal grandmother was named Wilhelmina “Minnie” Breitschuh.
Wendell’s maternal grandfather was Lewis Trish (the son of Louis Ludwig Trish and Anna Elizabeth Fetter). Lewis was born in Darmstadt, Hessen.
Wendell’s maternal grandmother was named Julia Ann Dorethea Katherine Von Hassen Lose. Julia was born in Hamburg.
Source: Genealogy of Wendell Wilkie (focusing on his mother’s side) – http://www.findagrave.com