Jacob F. Gmelich
Jacob F. Gmelich | |
|---|---|
Gmelich, c. 1904–1905 | |
| 27th Lieutenant Governor of Missouri | |
| In office 1909–1913 | |
| Preceded by | John C. McKinley |
| Succeeded by | William Rock Painter |
| State Treasurer of Missouri | |
| In office January 1, 1905, – January 1, 1909 | |
| Preceded by | Robert P. Williams |
| Succeeded by | James Cowgill |
| Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the Cooper County district | |
| In office 1895–1896 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jacob Friedrich Gmelich Jr. July 23, 1839 |
| Died | February 21, 1914 (aged 74) |
| Party | Republican |
| Occupation | Politician |
Jacob Friedrich Gmelich Jr. (July 23, 1839 – February 21, 1914) was an American politician. He served as State Treasurer of Missouri from 1905 to 1909, and as Lieutenant Governor of Missouri from 1909 to 1913.
Biography
Gmelich was born on July 23, 1839, in Wurtemberg, to Jacob Gmelich Sr. and Barbara Gmelich (née Walter). His family immigrated to the United States, first settling in Ohio, then in 1852, they moved to Peru, Illinois.[1] Following his education, he worked as a watchmaker. He relocated to Chicago in 1856, and to St. Louis in 1858. Beginning in May 1861, he was a jeweler in Boonville, Missouri.[2] He also served eight terms as mayor of the city, and was a member of its board of education and president of its bank.[3] During the American Civil War, he joined the Home Guard, a Unionist militia.[4]
A Republican, Gmelich served Cooper County in the Missouri House of Representatives in 1895 and 1896.[5] In 1900, he was a delegate of the Republican National Convention.[6] He served as State Treasurer of Missouri from January 1, 1905, to January 1, 1909,[1] as which his annual salary was $3,000. While treasurer, he sought reforms to the position.[7] He subsequently served as Lieutenant Governor of Missouri to Herbert S. Hadley, from 1909 to 1913.[3] The votes in his election for Lieutenant Governor were recounted due to a push from the Democratic-majority Missouri General Assembly; he won by around 150 votes.[8][9] As an elected official, he was praised by both supporters and opposition for his integrity.[5]
After his tenures ended, Gmelich returned to watchmaking in Boonville, operating alongside his son-in-law, Maximilian E. Schmidt, beginning in 1803.[1] His wife was fellow German immigrant Dorris Mueller, who he married on May 8, 1861; they had no children, though raised an adopted daughter.[1] He died on February 21, 1914, aged 74, in Boonville, from a pneumothorax, caused by pneumonia in 1912.[10] At the time of his death, he and his wife's house was being built.[3] He was buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery, in Boonville.[6] The Missouri Senate commemorated him following his death.[11]
References
- ^ a b c d Johnson, William Foreman (1919). History of Cooper County, Missouri. The Library of Congress. Topeka : Historical Pub. Co. pp. 390–396.
- ^ American Jeweler. 1914. p. 142.
- ^ a b c "Missouri State Past Treasurers - Jacob Friedrich Gmelich". treasurer.mo.gov. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ "Jacob F. Gmelich is Dead". St. Clair County Republican. 26 February 1914. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ a b Sampson, Francis Asbury (1914). Missouri Historical Review. State Historical Society of Missouri. p. 174.
- ^ a b "The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Gloves to Gockel". politicalgraveyard.com. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ "Jacob F. Gmelich". St. Joseph Gazette. 24 February 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ "Jacob F. Gmelich Dies in Boonville". The Republican-Record. 26 February 1914. p. 2. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ "Jacob F. Gmelich Dies in Boonville". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. 22 February 1914. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
- ^ "The Hon. Jacob F. Gmelich Dies at Home in Boonville". Boonville Daily News. 26 February 1914. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
- ^ Senate, Missouri General Assembly (1915). Journal of the Senate of the State of Missouri at the ... Session of the ... General Assembly. p. 499.