Hahn, Herman J., 1888-1948

Herman J. Hahn was born on January 31, 1888 in Kansas and studied at Elmhurst Illinois College and Eden Theological Seminary, St. Louis. Before coming to Buffalo, he was a pastor at churches in New Orleans, Louisiana, Valley City, Ohio, and Toledo, Ohio. In 1922 he became pastor of Salem Evangelical Church located in the Riverside neighborhood of Buffalo, New York. He continued in that position until his death in 1948. Hahn was active with the Socialist Party in Buffalo and was associated with the Revolutionary Policy Committee of the Socialist Party. He ran for various local and state offices on the Socialist ticket, including mayor of Buffalo in 1933, 1937, and 1945. Hahn protested against war and social injustice and made substantial contributions to the labor struggle in Buffalo in the 1920's, 30's and 40's. In 1927, Hahn was briefly jailed and was fined for his participation in the protests in the Sacco-Vanzetti trial in Boston, Massachusetts. During a time when such action was unpopular, Hahn remained committed to a church that was politically and socially aware and looked out for those that were subjected to discrimination. After a year long illness kept him from much activity, Hahn died in June of 1948 in the town of Tonawanda, New York.