Breen, Edward G., 1908-1991

Edward G. Breen was born on June 10, 1908, to John and Katherine Breen. His father was manager of the Philips House Hotel in downtown Dayton, and Edward was born in a room there. Edward earned a bachelor's degree from University of Dayton, then went on to continue his studies at the Ohio State University. He then returned to Dayton to run the Hilton Biltmore and later the Van Cleves Hotel as a manager.

During World War II Breen served in the Air Force at the rank of Major, seeing active duty in North Africa and Italy. After release from active duty, he was awarded the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Infantry Reserve. Upon his return from the war, he was elected to the Dayton City Board of Commissioners in 1945, who appointed him Mayor. He resigned his position in 1948 in order to be nominated by the Democratic Party for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was elected over incumbent Raymond Burke, a Republican, and then, in 1950, re-won his seat against the Republican challenger Paul Schenck. However, health issues forced Breen to resign from office on October 1, 1951. After his return to Dayton, Breen worked in real estate and insurance, until re-entering public service as a member of the Board of Commissioners for Montgomery County, Ohio. He served from 1955-1960. During this time he also got married to Katherine Focke on November 10, 1956. Edward and Katherine had 3 children, one of whom, Edward F. Breen, wrote a biography of his father, Lucky Eddie, and donated this collection to Wright State. Edward Breen passed away on May 8, 1991 in Dayton.

From the guide to the Congressman Edward G. Breen Collection, 1910-1990, 1940-1950, (Wright State University, Special Collections and Archives)