Edward G. Breen

Edward G. Breen
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 3rd district
In office
January 3, 1949 – October 1, 1951
Preceded byRaymond H. Burke
Succeeded byPaul F. Schenck
Personal details
Born
Edward Grimes Breen

(1908-06-10)June 10, 1908
Dayton, Ohio
DiedMay 8, 1991(1991-05-08) (aged 82)
Dayton, Ohio
Resting placeCalvary Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseConstance Focke
Childrentwo
Alma mater
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army Air Forces
Battles/warsWorld War II

Edward Grimes Breen (June 10, 1908, in Dayton, Ohio – May 8, 1991, in Dayton, Ohio) was an American politician of the Democratic party.

Biography

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Ed Breen was born in the Phillips House, a fine old hotel in Dayton, Ohio. He was the son of John P. Breen, manager of the Phillips House.

Breen attended Corpus Christi Grammar School and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Dayton. After attending Ohio State University, Breen returned to Dayton to work in the hotel business, where he ran the Hilton Biltmore Hotel and later the Van Cleve Hotel.

During the Second World War, Breen, a Roman Catholic by faith, served as a Major (United States) in the United States Army Air Forces. He saw active duty in North Africa and in Italy. He was released from active duty and awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Infantry Reserve.

In 1945, Breen was elected to the Board of Commissioners of Dayton, Ohio. His fellow commissioners elected him mayor.

In 1948, Breen resigned his seat on the city commission in order to seek the Democratic nomination for a seat in the United States House of Representatives. In that election, Breen successfully unseated Republican incumbent Raymond H. Burke. In 1950, Breen won re-election to the House, defeating Republican challenger Paul F. Schenck. However, ill health prompted Breen to resign from his seat early, on October 1, 1951. His old opponent Schenck was elected in a special election in 1951 to complete his term.

Returning to Dayton, Breen worked in the real estate and insurance industries. A few years later, he re-entered politics, running successfully for a seat on the Board of Commissioners of Montgomery County, Ohio, serving in that capacity from 1955 to 1960.

In 1956 he married Constance Focke and they had two children. Edward Grimes Breen is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton. His son has written a book about his father called "Lucky Eddie". http://www.thelocalhistorycompany.com/books/9780977042982/pages/9780977042982.html

See also

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References

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  • United States Congress. "Edward G. Breen (id: B000792)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-03-19
  • Flynn, Adrianne. “Ex-Mayor Edward Breen, 82, Dies; Served As U.S. Rep, County Commission President.” Dayton Daily News, May 9, 1991, page 3A.
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Political offices
Preceded by
Frank M. Krebs
Mayor of Dayton, Ohio
1946–1948
Succeeded by
Louis W. Lohrey
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Ohio's 3rd congressional district
1949–1951
Succeeded by