Encyclopedia Dubuque
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WULLWEBER, Christian
WULLWEBER, Christian. (Hagenow, Germany, July 1, 1833--Dubuque, IA, Sept. 22, 1877). Wullweber arrived in Dubuque in 1850. He gave lessons in German and the classics and, in 1853, was appointed a Professor at ALEXANDER COLLEGE. He held that position until 1856 when his mother died. Wullweber returned to Germany and entered Heidelberg University. He then returned to America and entered Cambridge University in the study of law. (1)
Wullweber entered the Dane Law School at Harvard College where he graduated in 1859. He returned to Dubuque and entered the practice of law. In 1864, he was elected Vice President of the Board of Education. He served as an elector to the Electoral College in 1872. (2) In 1870, he was again elected a member of the Board and, in 1874, was elected its president. He performed them so well and so important were they to the city that he was offered, but refused, compensation for his time. (3)
Wullweber was appointed minister to Ecuador in July 1875. (4) At the time the Dubuque Herald writers commented that the appointment was much more creditable to the government ...the only wonder is that a man of his integrity can consent to connect himself to so corrupt and discreditable an administration as that of Grant. (5) He was recalled in 1876 along with ministers to other countries because the congress refused to appropriate money for salaries. (6)
Upon his return to Dubuque, he presented a stuffed South American condor to the high school. (7)
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Source:
1. "At Rest," Dubuque Herald, September 23, 1877, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18770923&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. "Minister to Ecuador," The Dubuque Herald, July 17, 1875, p. 1
3. "At Rest..."
4. Ibid.
5. "Minister to Ecuador..."
6. "No Economy Wanted," The Daily Herald, August 23, 1876, p. 1
7. "Board of Education," Dubuque Herald, December 29, 1876, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=uh8FjILnQOkC&dat=18761229&printsec=frontpage&hl=en