Alexander Frederick Explained

Alexander Ernest Frederick (July 6, 1885 – April 7, 1974) was a Republican attorney, minister, politician, and animal welfare advocate, who served as a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly and as Wisconsin's first and only State Humane Officer. His name was often abbreviated as

Early life and career

Frederick was born in 1885 in Madison, Wisconsin^[1] and educated in Madison Public Schools. He attended the University of Wisconsin Law School.^[2]

After his graduation from the University of Wisconsin Law School and Georgetown University, he studied theology and entered ministry as an ordained pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1912 he was appointed by Governor Francis E. McGovern as humane officer for Monroe County, Wisconsin, where he was active in reform movements. Frederick was also a probation officer and attorney who brought cases before state courts and tribunals, including the Railroad Commission of Wisconsin.^[3] Frederick fought in World War I, serving as a commanding officer in the United States Army.^[4]

Public office

Wisconsin Assembly and Wisconsin Humane Officer

Frederick was first elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1912 and re-elected in 1914. He assumed office in January 1913 and left office in January 1917, and served as chaplain of the Assembly.^[5] While in the legislature for two terms, Frederick was a member of the Judiciary Committee. He was the author of animal welfare policies and also worked to ensure that members of the legislature and its committees were sober during meetings.^{[6] [7]} Frederick was later appointed to serve as Wisconsin State Humane Officer from 1919 to 1925.^{[8] [9]} In 1925, Frederick was the author of The Humane Guide: a Manual for Teachers and Humane Workers.^[10]

Congressional candidacy

Frederick unsuccessfully ran to represent Wisconsin's 7th congressional district in the United States Congress.

Personal life

A. E. Frederick was the father of National Organization for Women co-founder Kathryn F. Clarenbach^[11] and grandfather of David Clarenbach, a gay activist who served nine terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly and as Speaker pro tempore for ten years.^{[12] [13]} Frederick died in 1974 and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Sparta.^[1]

Notes and References

1. News: Rev. Dr. A. E. Frederick of Sparta: He Served God—and Man—All His Life . The La Crosse Tribune . April 10, 1974 . 11 . . August 17, 2019.
2. The Wisconsin Blue Book. Madison, Wis.: Democrat Printing Co., 1913, p. 677.
3. Book: Opinions and Decisions of the Railroad Commission of the State of Wisconsin. Wisconsin. Railroad Commission of. 1914.
4. Book: The National Humane Review. 1920. American Humane Association. en.
5. Book: Legislature, Wisconsin. Index to the Journals of the ... Session of the Wisconsin Legislature ... Senate and Assembly. 1911. Legislative Reference Bureau. en.
6. Web site: The State: The Wisconsin Blue Book: Part III. Election statistics. digicoll.library.wisc.edu. 2018-12-22.
7. Web site: Call a halt to drunken lawmakers -- State Journal editorial from 100 years ago Opinion madison.com. madison.com. 2018-12-22.
8. Web site: The State: The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1921: State government of Wisconsin. digicoll.library.wisc.edu. 2018-12-22.
9. Web site: The State: The Wisconsin Blue Book, 1925: Commissions, boards and departments. digicoll.library.wisc.edu. 2018-12-22.
10. Book: Catalog of Copyright Entries. New Series: 1925. 1165. wisconsin state humane officer A.E. Frederick.. 1926. Copyright Office, Library of Congress. en.
11. Book: Ware, Susan. Notable American Women: A Biographical Dictionary Completing the Twentieth Century. 2004. Harvard University Press. 9780674014886. en.
12. Web site: Making History. Our Lives. en-US. 2018-12-22.
13. Web site: David Clarenbach. www.facebook.com. en. 2018-12-22.