Sidney T. Holzman papers, 1898-1979

Old Resource ID was SHolzman

Sidney Tobias Holzman was born in Chicago on December 23, 1898, to Leopold and Nettie Holzman. He attended public grade school and graduated from Lane Vocational High School in 1914. He then became an employee of Continental Illinois National Bank of Chicago. In April of 1917, Holzman joined the United States Army as a member of the 132nd Infantry's 33rd Division named the Machine Gun Company. He served in France until June, 1919, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross from General John J. Pershing for heroism during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, October, 1918. He also received the Croix de Guerre, the Verdun Medal, and the French Commemorative Medal for his bravery in the Argonne battle.

After returning from World War I, Holzman again worked for Continental Bank. In 1924, he became an assistant to Edmund K. Jarecki, Judge of Cook County, Illinois. He held this position until 1952, except for a period of service in World War II. In 1939, Holzman was recalled to active duty and served in various administrative capacities. Most notably, he commanded recruiting for the United States Army in Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In 1946, after receiving the Army Commendation Ribbon, Holzman retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Honorary Reserve.

In 1952, Holzman was appointed to the Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Chicago and was elected its chairman. This Board is responsible for the just execution of election laws and procedures and investigates voting illegalities and irregularities in the city of Chicago. He was reappointed for a three-year term and re-elected as chairman in 1953, 1956, 1959, and 1962. Holzman was also a long-standing member of many service and veterans organizations. As a member of the American Legion, Holzman served on the staff of Premier Boys State, which annually conducted a school of citizenship and civics for approximately 1,500 boys of Illinois. Holzman died in 1979.

The Sidney Holzman collection consists of biographical material, clippings, correspondence, editorials, photographs, press releases, speeches, statements, reports and roster concerning Holzman's career on the Board of Election Commissioners and his membership in various military and veterans organizations. Included is material concerning the American Legion, Board of Election Commissioners, Disabled American Veterans, Disabled Officers Association, Machine Gun Company, Military Order of the World Wars, Premier Boys State and the Veterans Administration. Also included is correspondence with Paul H. Douglas (Dem.) and Everett M. Dirksen (Rep.), senators from Illinois, and Barrett O'Hara (Dem.), Roman C. Pucinski (Dem.) and Sidney R. Yates (Dem.), all House Representatives from Illinois.

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Sidney T. Holzman papers, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Names
  • Chicago (Ill.). Board of Election Commissioners -- Officials and employees.
  • Holzman, Sidney T. (Sidney Tobias), 1898-1979 -- Archives
• Subject
  • Chicago Political and Civic Life.
  • Veterans.
  • World War (1914-1918).