Michael Olbrich Explained

Michael Olbrich (September 29, 1881 – October 10, 1929) was a Madison, Wisconsin, lawyer, politician, and conservationist, who founded Olbrich Botanical Gardens and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum.^[1]

Biography

Olbrich was born Michael Balthasar Olbrich in Chemung, Illinois in 1881. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1902,^[2] where he was a member of the debate team.^[3]

A noted enthusiast of nature, Olbrich founded what is now known as Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. The Olbrich Gateway at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum is also named for him.

Olbrich was involved in a court case over a Montana sheep ranch in which he had invested much of his money,^[2] which led to his suicide in 1929.^{[2] [4]}

Career

Olbrich was chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin in 1912. Later, he served as deputy attorney general of Wisconsin from 1919 to 1921.^[2] He was a member of the law firm of Olbrich and Siebecker.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Franklin E. Court, "Michael B. Olbrich's Role in the History of Wildlife Conservation in Wisconsin", Wisconsin Magazine of History, Spring 2015, pp. 40–53.
2. News: Michael Olbrich, Madison Lawyer, Takes Own Life. The La Crosse Tribune. October 10, 1929 . 1 . . May 19, 2019.
3. Web site: Michael Olbrich. Historic Madison, Inc. of Wisconsin. 2013-10-25.
4. News: Funeral of Michael Olbrich, University Regent, Attended by Many High State Officials. Leader-Telegram. October 13, 1929 . 1 . . May 19, 2019.