William R. Orthwein


William Robert Orthwein was an American sportsman, attorney, business executive and political activist.

Early life

William Robert Orthwein was born on October 16, 1881. His father, William D. Orthwein, was a German-born grain merchant.
Orthwein graduated from Yale University. While at Yale in November 1902, he was arrested on charges of assaulting a ticket seller for a Yale-Harvard football game; one month later, he was fined for it.
Orthwein competed in the 1904 Summer Olympics as a freestyle and backstroke swimmer and water polo player. He won a bronze medals as a member of American 4x50-yard freestyle relay team and as a member of the Missouri Athletic Club water polo team. He also finished fourth in the 100-yard backstroke.
Orthwein received a law degree from the Washington University School of Law.

Career

Orthwein was an attorney. He served as the vice president and general counsel of the Kinloch Telephone Company in 1920. In that capacity, he refused to sell the business to the Bell Telephone Company.
During World War II, he served as a supply commissioner for the City of St. Louis. Meanwhile, Orthwein joined the Republican Party. In 1948, he ran unsuccessful for the nomination of lieutenant-governor.

Personal life

Orthwein married Nina Kent Baldwin. They had a son, William R. Orthwein, Jr..

Death

Orthwein died on October 2, 1955 at the Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.