William Robert Orthwein (October 16, 1881 – October 2, 1955) was an American sportsman, attorney, business executive and political activist.[1]

William R. Orthwein
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Robert Orthwein
National teamUnited States
Born(1881-10-16)October 16, 1881
St. Louis, Missouri
DiedOctober 2, 1955(1955-10-02) (aged 73)
St. Louis, Missouri
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBackstroke, freestyle, water polo
ClubMissouri Athletic Club
College teamYale University
Medal record
Representing the United States
Men's swimming
Bronze medal – third place 1904 St. Louis 4x50 yd freestyle relay
Men's Water Polo
Bronze medal – third place 1904 St. Louis Team competition

Early life

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William Robert Orthwein was born on October 16, 1881. His father, William D. Orthwein, was a German-born grain merchant.

Orthwein graduated from Yale University.[2] While at Yale in November 1902, he was arrested on charges of assaulting a ticket seller for a Yale-Harvard football game;[3] one month later, he was fined for it.[4]

Orthwein competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics as a freestyle and backstroke swimmer and water polo player.[2] He won a bronze medal as a member of the American 4x50-yard freestyle relay team and as a member of the Missouri Athletic Club water polo team. He also finished fourth in the 100-yard backstroke.[2]

Orthwein received a law degree from the School of Law at Washington University in St. Louis.[2]

Career

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Orthwein was an attorney.[5] He served as the vice president and general counsel of the Kinloch Telephone Company in 1920.[6] In that capacity, he refused to sell the business to the Bell Telephone Company.[6]

During World War II, he served as a supply commissioner for the City of St. Louis.[5] Meanwhile, Orthwein joined the Republican Party.[5] In 1948, he ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor of Missouri.[5][7]

Personal life

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Orthwein married Nina Kent Baldwin. They had a son, William R. Orthwein, Jr.[2]

Death

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Orthwein died on October 2, 1955, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "William R. Orthwein". Olympedia. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Bill Orthwein". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  3. ^ "For Attacking Speculators. Prominent Yale Students Placed Under Arrest". The Bismarck Tribune. Bismarck, North Dakota. November 26, 1902. p. 1. Retrieved October 7, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ "STUDENTS FINED. Yale Men Pay for Assaulting a Ticket Speculator". The Idaho Statesman. Boise City, Idaho. December 13, 1902. p. 1. Retrieved October 7, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ a b c d e "St. Louis Attorney, GOP Leader, Dies". Moberly Monitor-Index. Moberly, Missouri. October 3, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved October 7, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ a b "Kinloch Sale Here Denied By Orthwein: "Absolutely No Grounds" for Reports, Says Kinloch Official, In Letter to Telegraph. Chiefs' Reply Is Delayed: Bell Company Head Says "Unforeseen Complications" Have Prevented Completing of Plan". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. July 12, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved October 9, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ "Unofficial County Election Vote". The Sedalia Democrat. Sedalia, Missouri. August 4, 1948. p. 1. Retrieved October 9, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.  
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See also

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