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. 1 2 3 4 5 "Michael Olbrich, Madison Lawyer, Takes Own Life". The La Crosse Tribune. October 10, 1929. p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2019 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  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. Open access icon
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