Michael Olbrich

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]

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. "Michael Olbrich, Madison Lawyer, Takes Own Life". The La Crosse Tribune. October 10, 1929. p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Michael Olbrich". Historic Madison, Inc. of Wisconsin. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  4. "Funeral of Michael Olbrich, University Regent, Attended by Many High State Officials". Leader-Telegram. October 13, 1929. p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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