Joseph John Defer (October 21, 1866 - April 14, 1929) was an American businessman and politician.
Defer was born in Detroit, Michigan[1] and went to the Detroit public schools. Defer moved to the town of Saxon, Iron County, Wisconsin, in 1886, where he owned a general store and saw mill.[1] Defer served as the postmaster for Saxon. He served on the Iron County Board of Supervisors and was chairman of the county board.[1] From 1905 to 1907, Defer served as sheriff of Iron County and was a Republican. Defer served on the school board and was president of the school board. In 1919 and 1920, Defer served in the Wisconsin Assembly.[2] Defer died at his home in Saxon, Wisconsin from a heart attack.[1] [3] [4]