Josef Ospelt

Josef Ospelt, the son of Julius and Mary Caesar (née Seger), was born in Vaduz, Liechtenstein on 9 January 1881. After attending a country school in Vaduz, he began working as Regierungskanzlist provincial administrator under Carl von In der Maur.[2]

In 1918, Ospelt joined the founders of the Progressive Citizens' Party and was later elected chairman and longtime manager of the newspaper Liechtensteiner Volksblatt.[2]

On 23 March 1921, he succeeded provincial administrator, Josef Peer and participated in the preparation of a new constitution.[3] After the new Constitution of 5 October 1921 took effect, he was appointed head of the government, on the recommendation of the Landtag. In this transitional period he was Liechtenstein's last provincial administrator as well as the first head of government as Prime Minister. Ospelt resigned the position on 27 April 1922 reportedly for health reasons, and was suceeded by his deputy Alfons Feger as acting Prime Minister.[1]

Ospelt, third from left on the front as Prime Minister with members of the Landtag, 1921.

After his resignation as Prime Minister on, he moved with his family to Vienna. From 1918 to 1922, he served as treasurer and the royal domain administration. After 1922, he established a legal and insurance agency in Vaduz. In 1925 he was a representative of the Zurich Insurance Group. After the renewed political upheaval in 1928, Ospelt held several public offices. He was among the founding members of the Historical Society in Liechtenstein, which he headed from 1928 to 1955 as chairman and for many years on the Board of the Vintners of Vaduz.[3] From 1930 to 1932 he was elected to the Landtag of Liechtenstein.[2]

Ospelt died on 1 June 1962 in Vaduz, at the age of 81.[2]

Ospelt married Mathilde Ospelt (25 May 1889 –16 April 1960) on 2 October 1916 and they had 4 children together.[2]