William H. Dieterich Explained

William Henry Dieterich
Jr/Sr1:United States Senator
State1:Illinois
Term Start1:March 4, 1933
Term End1:January 3, 1939
Predecessor1:Otis F. Glenn
Successor1:Scott W. Lucas
Office2:Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's at-large district
Term Start2:March 4, 1931
Term End2:March 3, 1933
Predecessor2:Ruth H. McCormick
Successor2:Martin A. Brennan
Office3:Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
Term3:1917-1921
Birth Date:31 March 1876
Birth Place:Cooperstown, Illinois
Death Place:Springfield, Illinois
Party:Democratic

William Henry Dieterich (March 31, 1876October 12, 1940) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Illinois. He was a state legislator, U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator

Biography

He was born near Cooperstown, Illinois. After graduating from Kennedy Business College in 1897 and Northern Indiana Law School in 1901, Dieterich was admitted to the bar and began to practice in Rushville, Illinois. During the Spanish–American War, he served as a corporal.

He was city attorney for Rushville, 1903–1907; treasurer of Rushville Union Schools 1906–1908; and county judge of Schuyler County, 1906–1910.

In 1911 he moved to Chicago, and then in 1912 to Beardstown, Illinois, in Cass County, adjacent to Schuyler, where he continued his law practice.

In 1916, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, and re-elected in 1918, serving from 1917 to 1921.

In 1930, he was elected U.S. Representative from one of Illinois' two at-large seats, finishing ahead of both Republicans and the other Democrat.[1] He served only one term.

In 1932, he declined re-nomination to the House, and instead ran for U.S. Senator. He defeated incumbent Republican Otis Glenn 52% to 46%.[2]

He served one term, from 1933 to 1939. He did not run for re-election in 1938, instead returning to his law practice. He died in Springfield, Illinois during a business trip.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Page . William Tyler . Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 1930 . Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives . January 6, 1931 . April 21, 2012.
  2. Web site: Ellis . George D. . Statistics of the Congressional and Presidential Election of November 8, 1932 . Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives . February 2, 1933 . April 21, 2012.