George Wenige

Who was George Wenige?

George Albert Wenige was an eccentric mayor of London, Ontario, Canada, who served nine terms, mostly non-consecutively.

Wenige was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1874 and moved to London, Ontario, Canada as a stunt bicycle rider at the Western Fair in 1900. He liked the city and decided to stay, opening the Bicycle and Motor Sales Company. In 1915, a new shop was built, with Wenige insisting that it be completed in 30 days; he hired a brass band to motivate the workers. He claimed his shop "made walking expensive" and once bicycled from London to Halifax, Nova Scotia to promote his business.

Wenige was a populist and was well loved by London's working class. He was elected alderman in 1921 and was elected to three consecutive terms as mayor from 1923 to 1925. In 1925, he attended the funeral of former mayor Sir Adam Beck, earning the scorn of London's upper class by wearning a business suit and a straw hat -- "the only hat I owned"—he explained.

Wenige was elected mayor again in 1928, 1934, 1935, 1947, 1948 and 1950. In 1935, he ran as an independent candidate in the federal election but lost.