En: Carl Schurz

Carl Schurz

Carl Schurz (1829-1906) Secretary of the Interior, 1877-81; U.S. Senator from Missouri, 1869-75; Brigadier General (Union) of Volunteers in Civil War; Editor of New York Evening Post, 1881-84. Born March 2, 1829 near Cologne, Germany. He took part in the revolution of 1848 and was compelled to flee the country. Became a newspaper correspondent in Paris and later taught school in London.

In 1850 he returned secretly to Germany to help liberate his friend and teacher, Paul Kinkel, from prison at Spandau.

Immigrated to the U.S. in 1852 and settled in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1855 he moved to Watertown, Wis. where he studied law and was admitted to the bar, practicing in Milwaukee. Was appointed U.S. minister to Spain in 1861 but resigned soon afterward to become a brigadier general of volunteers in the Union Army.

After the war he engaged in newspaper work at St. Louis and served as a Republican U.S. senator from Missouri from 1869-74, but was not a candidate for reelection. He was a contributor to Harper's Weekly, 1892-98 and president of the National Civil Service Reform League, 1892-1901. He was a member of Herman Lodge No. 125 at Philadelphia. Received all three degrees by special dispensation on Feb. 23, 1855 and elected a member of the lodge on March 23, 1855. He was suspended Nov. 23, 1860. Died May 14, 1906.