Bob Kann - Belle and Bob La Follette: Partners in Politics

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Bob Kann

Wisconsin Historical Society Press

Published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press

Publishers since 1855

2008 by State Historical Society of Wisconsin

E-book edition 2014

Publication of this book was made possible, in part, by a gift from Mrs. Harvey E. Vick of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For permission to reuse material from Belle and Bob La Follette: Partners in Politics (ISBN 978-0-87020-407-4; e-book ISBN 978-0-87020-520-0), please access www.copyright.com or contact the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (CCC), 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400. CCC is a not-for-profit organization that provides licenses and registration for a variety of users.

www.wisconsinhistory.org

Photographs identified with PH, WHi, or WHS are from the Societys collections; address inquiries about such photos to the Visual Materials Archivist at Wisconsin Historical Society, 816 State Street, Madison, WI 53706.

Designed by Jill Bremigan

12 11 10 09 08 1 2 3 4 5

The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:

Kann, Bob.

Belle and Bob La Follette : partners in politics / by Bob Kann.

p. cm.(Badger biographies)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-87020-407-4

1. La Follette, Robert M. (Robert Marion), 18551925Juvenile literature. 2. La Follette, Belle Case, 18591931Juvenile literature. 3. LegislatorsUnited StatesBiographyJuvenile literature. 4. United States. Congress. SenateBiographyJuvenile literature. 5. Progressivism (United States politics)Juvenile literature. 6. PoliticiansWisconsinBiographyJuvenile literature. 7. Social reformersWisconsinBiographyJuvenile literature. 8. Married peopleWisconsinBiographyJuvenile literature. 9. WisconsinPolitics and government18481950Juvenile literature. 10. WisconsinSocial policyJuvenile literature. I. Title.

E664.L16K36 2008

973.099dc22

2008004312

Front cover: Belle and Bob La Follette in 1925, WHi Image ID 10739.

Contents

Meet Belle and Bob

What would it take to do something in your lifetime that would help people in the future?

In Wisconsin , there is no more famous couple than the La Follettes. Belle and Bob La Follette (luh fah let), who lived 100 years ago, believed that making a better world is both good and possible.

By 1900, the huge growth of factories and businesses had caused many problems in the United States. A small group of men possessed much of the wealth and power in the country. Many swept the country.

, and getting rid of dishonest politicians. Bob and Belle were unusual because they were equal partners in Bobs political work. Many men of the time did not consider women to be their equals, but Bob depended upon Belles advice as he made important decisions.

Bob La Follette was well-known for his fiery, persuasive speeches.

Bob held many political speaker, full of energy when he spoke in front of a large crowd. People from Wisconsin voted for him again and again.

Belles wisdom, intelligence, and care for his health helped Bob to succeed as a politician. She supported Bob in many of his causes, but she also fought for her own causes, such as world peace and women being able to vote. Belle didnt listen when people said women shouldnt take part in . She gave speeches, wrote articles, and even got a law degree! With Bob, she raised 4 children. Two of them also became famous politicians.

This book tells the tale of Bob and Belle La Follette and how they fought for a better . This political couple shared dreams and goals that bound them together in a love story that lasted for more than 40 years. Read their story to find out how 2 farm kids from Wisconsin changed the world.

I Dont Hate to Do Anything That Needs to Be Done

In the early-morning hours of April 21, 1859, a newborn babys cry rang out. That babys name was Belle. Her parents, Mary and Anson Case, lived in a log cabin in Summit, Wisconsin, far from the hospitals and clinics where most babies are born today. In 1859, it wasnt at all unusual for a baby to be born at home. On that early spring morning, Mary and Anson could not have imagined their daughter would one day be married to a famous politician, or that she would be the first woman in Wisconsin to go to .

Belle, age 6, is wearing a dress woven and sewn by her Grandmother Case.

Belle was born in a cabin like this in Summit, Wisconsin, in 1859.

, a popular crop in the Baraboo area. Farming was hard, backbreaking work. Anson and Mary had to work long hours to make their farm a success. Because they were often busy, Belle spent a lot of time with her grandmother, Lucetta Case. Grandma Case loved being with her granddaughter.