William Froehlich

William H. Froehlich
16th Secretary of State of Wisconsin
In office January 2, 1899 – January 5, 1903
Governor	Edward Scofield Robert M. La Follette
Preceded by	Henry Casson
Succeeded by	Walter L. Houser
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Washington district
In office January 7, 1895 – January 2, 1899
Preceded by	August Konrad
Succeeded by	Louis D. Guth
Personal details
Born	(1857-06-22)June 22, 1857 Jackson, Washington County, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died	January 31, 1942(1942-01-31) (aged 84) Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting place	Graceland Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Clara ​ (m. 1879⁠–⁠1942)​
Children	John A. Froehlich Alfred B. Froehlich Paul E. Froehlich Robert J. Froehlich George W. Froehlich Amalia (Gumm) Minnie (Schmidt)

William Henry Froehlich (June 22, 1857 – January 31, 1942) was an American businessman and a Republican politician. He served as the 16th Secretary of State of Wisconsin, and served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing Washington County.

Biography

Born in Jackson, Washington County, Wisconsin, Froehlich graduated from Spencer Business College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] He was a bookkeeper and clerk in Milwaukee and then went into business for himself in Jackson, in general merchandise and grain. He served as postmaster of Jackson from 1881 to 1893 and served on the school board from 1891 to 1899. He also served as town clerk and justice of the peace. In 1895 and 1897, Froehlich served in the Wisconsin State Assembly.[2] He served as that state's sixteenth Secretary of State, serving two terms from January 2, 1899, to January 5, 1903. He was a Republican and served under governors Edward Scofield and Robert La Follette, Sr.[2]

Embezzlement

In 1923, Froehlich, who was the former cashier at the Jackson State Bank, pleaded guilty to embezzlement and was sentenced to prison.[3] In 1925, Governor John Blaine gave a conditional pardon to Froehlich saying Froehlich did not have the criminal attitude to take advantage of people.[4]

Death

Froehlich worked for the Milwaukee County Park Board until he retired. He died in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on January 31, 1942.[5]

References

1. Campbell, John A., ed. (1902). A Biographical History, with Portraits, of Prominent Men of the Great West. Chicago: Western Biographical and Engraving Co. pp. 282–283. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
2. William H. Froehlich (ed.) The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin. Milwaukee: Northwestern Litho Co., 1901, p. 726.
3. "Ex-Secretary of State Gets 5 Year Term". The Capital Times, October 16, 1923, p. 2.
4. "Governor Denies Pardon to Woman". The Sheboygan Press, November 11, 1925, p. 18.
5. "Rites Arranged at Milwaukee for Former Official". The Sheboygan Press, February 2, 1942, p. 7.

Party political offices
Preceded by Henry Casson	Republican nominee for Secretary of State of Wisconsin 1898, 1900	Succeeded by Walter Houser
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by August Konrad	Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Washington district January 7, 1895 – January 2, 1899	Succeeded by Louis D. Guth
Political offices
Preceded by Henry Casson	Secretary of State of Wisconsin January 2, 1899 – January 5, 1903	Succeeded by Walter Houser