In the spring of 1960, then senators John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey were in “battle” to win the Democratic nomination for president. Wisconsin was seen as one of the big battlegrounds. This area was a busy one for both candidates with Humphrey visiting Clintonville and his wife, Muriel Humphrey Brown, Waupaca. New London had delegates from Humphrey’s campaign but not Humphrey himself. In early March, John F Kennedy’s sister Patricia Kennedy Lawford, then wife of the actor Peter Lawford, was the guest of honor at a tea reception held at the Elwood hotel where she announced that her brother would be visiting New London. On March 11, 1960, after stops at the Veteran’s Home in King, Manawa and Clintonville High Schools, Shawano and Keshena, Senator Kennedy arrived at the Washington High School at 3:15 and gave a 30 minute speech.

 

His police escort was made up of Rodney Taubel, police chief at Manawa, Elwin Welch, then an Outagamie traffic patrolman and Loran Frazier, a Waupaca County traffic officer. After his visit here, he traveled onto Neenah and Menasha. At President Kennedy’s inauguration, Bob Elsholtz, New London, was part of the Honor Guard that walked behind the U.S. Army Band.

 

Upon the news of President John F Kennedy’s death, the New London Press ran a story about his visit to New London and ended the article with this quote: “His visit to New London left us with a little more heritage. His loss becomes more personal.” 

 

 

 

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