Theodore Rodolf (October 17, 1814 – February 12, 1892) was a Swiss American immigrant, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 10th and 12th mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and represented La Crosse for two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly.
Theodore Rodolf | |
|---|---|
 Portrait from History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin (1881) | |
| 10th & 12th Mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin | |
| In office April 1870 – April 1871 | |
| Preceded by | Charles L. Coleman |
| Succeeded by | Alexander McMillan |
| In office April 1868 – April 1869 | |
| Preceded by | John M. Levy |
| Succeeded by | Charles L. Coleman |
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the La Crosse 1st district | |
| In office January 3, 1870 – January 2, 1871 | |
| Preceded by | Cassius C. Palmer |
| Succeeded by | Gideon Hixon |
| In office January 6, 1868 – January 4, 1869 | |
| Preceded by | Angus Cameron |
| Succeeded by | Cassius C. Palmer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 17, 1814 Switzerland |
| Died | February 12, 1892 (aged 77) La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse, Wisconsin |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Marie A. Rodolf (died 1892) |
| Children |
|
| Relatives | Charles Rodolf (brother) |
| Alma mater | University of Zurich |
| Occupation | Insurance agent |
Biography
editRodolf was born on October 17, 1814, in Switzerland.[1] He graduated from the University of Zurich before moving to Lafayette County, Wisconsin, in 1834. He died in La Crosse on February 12, 1892[2] after an illness lasting more than a year.[3]
His brother, Charles Rodolf, was a member of the Assembly and of the Wisconsin State Senate.[4]
Career
editWhile living in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, he served as Village President in 1851 and 1852. He was appointed Receiver of Public Moneys at La Crosse by President Franklin Pierce in 1853, and served in that role until 1861.
Rodolf was elected to the Assembly running on the Democratic Party ticket in 1867. The next year, rather than running for re-election, he was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 6th congressional district. He lost to incumbent Cadwallader C. Washburn, but went on to win back his seat in the Assembly in the 1869 election. During the same time, he was elected mayor of La Crosse in the 1868 and 1870 Spring elections.
References
edit- ^ Official Directory. The Legislative Manual of the State of Wisconsin. 1870. p. 364. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
Theodore Rodolf+Wisconsin+Assembly.
- ^ "Death of Col. Rodolf". The Saint Paul Globe. February 13, 1892. p. 1. Retrieved April 23, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hon. Theodore Rodolf". Star Tribune. February 13, 1892. p. 1. Retrieved April 24, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Charles Rodolf Biography". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
