Theodore Rodolf

Theodore Rodolf (October 17, 1814 – February 12, 1892) was a Swiss American immigrant, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 10th and 12th mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and represented La Crosse for two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Theodore Rodolf
Portrait from History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin (1881)
10th & 12th Mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin
In office April 1870 – April 1871
Preceded by	Charles L. Coleman
Succeeded by	Alexander McMillan
In office April 1868 – April 1869
Preceded by	John M. Levy
Succeeded by	Charles L. Coleman
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the La Crosse 1st district
In office January 3, 1870 – January 2, 1871
Preceded by	Cassius C. Palmer
Succeeded by	Gideon Hixon
In office January 6, 1868 – January 4, 1869
Preceded by	Angus Cameron
Succeeded by	Cassius C. Palmer
Personal details
Born	(1814-10-17)October 17, 1814 Switzerland
Died	February 12, 1892(1892-02-12) (aged 77) La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting place	Oak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Marie A. Rodolf (died 1892)
Children	M. E. Julie Rodolf (b. 1840; died 1900) Theodore F. Rodolf (b. 1842; died 1887) Emilie (Servis) (b. 1843; died 1934) A. J. Henriette Rodolf (b. 1845; died 1865) Edward G. Rodolf (b. 1848; died 1904) Adele Rodolf (b. 1850; died 1861) Cora M. (Copeland) (b. 1851; died 1935) Eugene F. Rodolf (b. 1853; died 1861) Charles B. Rodolf (b. 1859; died 1871)
Relatives	Charles Rodolf (brother)
Alma mater	University of Zurich
Occupation	Insurance agent

His brother, Charles Rodolf, also served in the Wisconsin Legislature.

Biography

Rodolf was born on October 17, 1814, in Switzerland.^[1] He graduated from the University of Zurich before emigrating to the United States in 1834. He settled in the area that is now Lafayette County, Wisconsin—at the time, the area was still part of the Michigan Territory. He died in La Crosse on February 12, 1892,^[2] after an illness lasting more than a year.^[3]

His brother, Charles Rodolf, was a member of the Assembly and of the Wisconsin Senate.^[4]

Career

While living in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, he served as village president in 1851 and 1852. He was appointed Receiver of Public Moneys at La Crosse, Wisconsin, by President Franklin Pierce in 1853, and served in that role until 1861.

Rodolf was elected to the Assembly running on the Democratic Party ticket in 1867. The next year, rather than running for re-election, he was a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 6th congressional district. He lost to incumbent Cadwallader C. Washburn, but went on to win back his seat in the Assembly in the 1869 election. During the same time, he was elected mayor of La Crosse in the 1868 and 1870 Spring elections.