| William Pfaender | |
| Order1: | 6th |
| Office1: | Minnesota State Treasurer |
| Term Start1: | 1876 |
| Term End1: | 1880 |
| Governor1: | John S. Pillsbury |
| Predecessor1: | Edwin W. Dyke |
| Successor1: | Charles Kittleson |
| State Senate2: | Minnesota |
| Term Start2: | 1869 |
| Term End2: | 1873 |
| Birth Name: | Jakob Wilhelm Pfänder |
| Birth Date: | 26 July 1826 |
| Birth Place: | Heilbronn, Kingdom of Württemberg |
| Death Place: | New Ulm, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Party: | Republican |
William Pfaender Sr. (born Jakob Wilhelm Pfänder, July 6, 1826 - August 11, 1905) was a German-American politician and businessman.
Born in Heilbronn, Kingdom of Württemberg, Pfaender emigrated to the United States in 1848 and went to New York. In 1848, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1856, after an attack by Know Nothings on his family and other German immigrant families at a picnic, Pfaender organized a move to New Ulm, Minnesota Territory. Pfaender was in the real estate and insurance business; he was also in the lumber business. During the American Civil War, Pfaender served in the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned lieutenant colonel. Pfaender served on the New Ulm City Council. He also served as mayor of New Ulm and on the New Ulm school board. He served as register for Brown County, Minnesota and as postmaster for New Ulm. In 1859 and 1860, Pfaender served in the Minnesota House of Representatives and was a Republican. Then, from 1869 to 1873, Pfaender served in the Minnesota State Senate. From 1876 to 1880, Pfaender served as the Minnesota State Treasurer. Pfaender died at his home in New Ulm, Minnesota.[1] [2]
His great-great-grandniece is British singer, and Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham.[3]