Henry J. Toepfert

Henry Joseph Toepfert (March 27, 1876 – March 8, 1953) was an American businessman, inventor, politician, and the thirty-first and thirty-third mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts, to date its longest-serving officeholder. Entering work as a boy for the White & Wyckoff Manufacturing Company, he would remain with the company for more than three decades, later holding a board position as vice president and general manager.^[1][3][4] He was also an inventor, holding several patents in machinery, devoted to the manufacture of envelopes and stationery.^[5] First elected mayor in 1932, he would briefly serve as the manager of American Tissue Mills during the time he as out of office for several years with the election of William P. Yoerg. Upon his death in 1953, he was described as "universally liked" by the Springfield Union.^[1] The Holyoke Housing Authority subsequently named the H. J. Toepfert Apartments after him, and today a plaster model of a medallion by Jerome Connor bearing his likeness resides in the National Gallery of Ireland.^[6]

The H.J. Toepfert Medallion, presented to the mayor by sculptist Jerome Connor on August 24, 1934, and displayed in City Hall.^[7]

Henry J. Toepfert
Portrait of Henry J. Toepfert as mayor, 1944
31st and 33rd Mayor of the City of Holyoke, Massachusetts
In office 1932–1935
Preceded by	William M. Hart (acting) Fred G. Burnham
Succeeded by	William P. Yoerg
In office 1940–1953
Preceded by	William P. Yoerg
Succeeded by	James T. Doherty (acting) Edwin A. Seibel
Personal details
Born	March 27, 1876[1] New York, New York
Died	March 8, 1953(1953-03-08) (aged 76) Holyoke, Massachusetts
Resting place	Forestdale Cemetery
Political party	Republican[2]
Spouse	Minnie O'Connor

References

1. "Mayor Toepfert of Holyoke Dies; Stricken at 75; Was in 17th Year as City's Leader". Springfield Union. Springfield, Mass. March 9, 1953. pp. 1, 8.
2. "Hold Special Holyoke Vote". Boston American. May 10, 1953. p. 12. Principal interest is whether or not this industrial city, controlled by Democrats in state and national elections over the years, might still select a Republican as chief executive. The late Mayor Toepfert was registered Republican but a strong vote getter in the normally Democratic city.
3. "Henry J. Toepfert has been promoted..." The Inland Printer. Vol. 69. June 1922. p. 408.
4. "Gleanings From Many Fields". National Association News. National Association of Stationers and Manufacturers of the U.S.A. February 1927. p. 12.
5. "H. J. Toepfert Dies, Mayor Of Holyoke". Boston Herald. March 9, 1953. p. 11.
6. "Medallion of Henry J. Toepfert, Mayor of Holyoke, Mass". National Gallery of Ireland. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
7. "Bronze Plaque of Holyoke Mayor Is Made By Noted Irish Sculptor; Work of Jerome O'Connor [sic] Presented in Ceremony at Mayor Henry J. Toepfert's Office as Many Prominent Citizens Hear Speech by Miss Mae Lucey". Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass. August 25, 1934. pp. 1, 2.