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Died 11 August 1905, New Ulm, Minnesota, United States | ||
William Pfaender, Sr. (Jakob Wilhelm Pfänder, July 6, 1826 – August 11, 1905) was an American politician and businessman.
Born in Germany, Pfaender emigrated to the United States in 1848 and went to New York. In 1848, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1856, after an attack by Know Nothings on his family and other German immigrant families at a picnic, Pfaender organized a move to New Ulm, Minnesota Territory. Pfaender was in the real estate and insurance business; he was also in the lumber business. During the American Civil War, Pfaender served in the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned lieutenant colonel. Pfaender served on the New Ulm City Council. He also served as mayor of New Ulm and on the New Ulm school board. He served as register for Brown County, Minnesota and as postmaster for new Ulm. In 1859 and 1860, Pfaender served in the Minnesota House of Representatives and was a Republican. Then, from 1879 t0 1872, Pfeander served in the Minnesota State Senate. From 1876 to 1880, Pfaender served as the Minnesota State Treasurer. Pfaender died at his home in New Ulm, Minnesota.