From the Milwaukee Sentinel, July 30, 1934:
Born Boscobel; graduated from University of Wisconsin in 1891; studied law; became senior member of Kronshage, McGovern and Hannan. Highly reputed as a trial lawyer.
President of the old Espenhain Dry Goods Company in Milwaukee; chairman of the board of the Boscobel State bank and president of the Parker-Hildebrand Company of Boscobel.
From its founding in 1901 until its dissolution in 1918, was president of the Milwaukee Free Press, founded as a mouthpiece of the Progressive movement.
Took an active interest in affairs of the village of Fox Point and served as president of the village board.
Statewide reputation through his work in the educational world. From 1907 to 1917 on the board of normal regents, governing the state's nine normal schools and for a time was a member of the old state board of education. He also served as president of the association of governing boards of state universities.
In 1921 Blaine appointed him to the board of regents of the University; chairman of the board for five of his six years of service. Worked tirelessly for betterment of the institution and openly attacked what he declared to be backward financial policies, lack of legislation which hampered its growth, insufficiency of buildings, and other problems.
Was about to retire in 1931 when Governor La Follette persuaded him to become chairman of the state railroad commission. Largely through his influence, the present strict utility regulation law passed the legislature, considerably strengthening the state's power to regulate utilities and creating the public service commission as successor to the railroad commission. Developed the fixed charge schedule for electrical consumers; limited annual returns on utilities to 6 per cent which led to recent rate reductions; counteracted power trusts in Wisconsin.
Progressive Republican and La Follette supporter; member of state central committee and the Milwaukee county republican committee of League of Wisconsin Municipalities.
