Richard W. Guenther

Richard William Guenther (November 30, 1845 – April 5, 1913) was a German American immigrant, pharmacist, and Republican politician. He served eight years in the United States House of Representatives, representing central Wisconsin, and was the 8th State Treasurer of Wisconsin.

Richard William Guenther
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
In office
March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1889
Preceded byEdward S. Bragg
Succeeded byCharles Barwig
ConstituencyWisconsin's 2nd district
In office
March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1887
Preceded byGabriel Bouck
Succeeded byCharles B. Clark
ConstituencyWisconsin's 6th district
8th State Treasurer of Wisconsin
In office
January 7, 1878 – January 2, 1882
GovernorWilliam E. Smith
Preceded byFerdinand Kuehn
Succeeded byEdward C. McFetridge
Personal details
BornNovember 30, 1845
Potsdam, Brandenburg, Kingdom of Prussia
DiedApril 5, 1913(1913-04-05) (aged 67)
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeRiverside Cemetery, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Political partyRepublican
SpouseEmilie Schloerb (died 1932)
Children
  • Richard Guenther
  • (b. 1872; died 1921)
  • Meta Guenther
  • (b. 1873; died 1879)
  • Alice Lillian (Motz)
  • (b. 1876; died 1962)
  • Otto Guenther
  • (b. 1877; died 1878)
ProfessionPharmacist, Politician

Biography

Born in Potsdam, in the Province of Brandenburg, in what was then the Kingdom of Prussia, Guenther received a college education and graduated from the Royal Pharmacy in Potsdam. He immigrated to the United States in 1866, settling in New York City. He moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1867 and engaged in the pharmaceutical business.

Guenther was Wisconsin State Treasurer from 1878 to 1882 and was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives in 1880. He first represented Wisconsin's 6th congressional district for three terms (March 4, 1881 - March 3, 1887). After redistricting, he represented Wisconsin's 2nd congressional district for one term (March 4, 1887 - March 3, 1889). Overall, Guenther represented Wisconsin from the 47th through the 50th Congresses.

Guenther was appointed consul general in three different locations: in Mexico City, Mexico by President Benjamin Harrison in 1890, serving until 1893; in Frankfurt, Germany by President William McKinley in 1898, serving until 1910; and in Cape Town, South Africa by President William Howard Taft in 1910, serving until his death in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on April 5, 1913. He was interred in Riverside Cemetery in Oshkosh.

The Richard Guenther House in Oshkosh is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[1]

References
  1. Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (3/2/1934 - ) (2013–2017). Wisconsin SP Guenther, Richard, House. File Unit: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Wisconsin, 1/1/1964 - 12/31/2013.
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